Powerful quake off New Zealand triggers tsunami

A powerful magnitude 7.8 earthquake struck off New Zealand's Kermadec Islands, triggering a tsunami in the region, the US Geological Survey and the US Pacific Tsunami Centre said on Wednesday.

The quake, initially reported as a magnitude 7.9, triggered a tsunami warning for New Zealand, the Kermadec Islands and Tonga, the US Pacific Tsunami Centre said.

"Sea level readings confirm that a tsunami was generated. This tsunami may have been destructive along coastlines of the region near the earthquake epicenter," the US Pacific Tsunami Centre said in its warning.

It struck at 7:03 a.m. on Thursday (1903 GMT on Wednesday) at the epicenter, 131 miles (211 km) east of Raoul Island, part of the Kermadec archipelago, and was only 30 miles (48 km) deep, the USGS said.

The Pacific Tsunami Centre said waves were 2.2-2.7 feet (68-84 cm) high around Raoul Island.

The US Pacific Tsunami Centre said it estimated that waves would reach East Cape in New Zealand within two hours and Auckland within three hours of the quake.

The Kermadec Islands, which are New Zealand's northernmost inhabited islands, are 500 miles (800 km) northeast of New Zealand's North Island.