7.7 magnitude earthquake hits Loyalty Island

Washington (IANS) | A major earthquake measuring 7.7 on the Richter scale has occurred off the Loyalty Island of New Caledonia, located in the South Pacific Ocean. The officials have given this information. An earthquake has increased the possibility of a tsunami.

In its latest update, the US Geological Survey (USGS) said the quake occurred at 2.57 am, Xinhua news agency reported.

The USGS said the epicenter of the quake was at 23.229 degrees south latitude and 170.694 degrees east longitude with a depth of 37.7 km.

It has been reported that this earthquake can cause dangerous tsunami waves which can affect Vanuatu, New Caledonia and Fiji.

The Loyalty Islands are one of three administrative subdivisions of New Caledonia, located in the Pacific Ocean.

–IANS