Imagine waking up to the ground rumbling beneath you— that’s exactly what happened in Tonga when a 7.0 magnitude earthquake struck in the early hours of Monday, local time. The jolt, centered 100 kilometers (62 miles) northeast of the main island, sent shivers through the South Pacific nation and sparked a tsunami warning. But here’s the good news: the alert’s been lifted, and Tonga’s breathing a sigh of relief.

A Double Shake in the Night

The U.S. Geological Survey clocked the quake at a depth of 29 kilometers (18 miles), hitting just after 1 a.m. And as if that wasn’t enough, a second 6.1 magnitude tremor rattled the same spot a few hours later. The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center in Hawaii jumped into action, warning of possible hazardous waves. But by morning, they gave the all-clear—no tsunami threat after all. Tonga’s disaster management office followed suit, canceling their warning too.

“It Was Hard to Stand Up”

In the capital, Nuku’alofa, tsunami sirens pierced the night, urging folks to head inland or climb to higher ground. The Tonga Broadcasting Commission captured the scene live—residents hustling to safety, nerves on edge. Taekwondo star Pita Taufatofua took to Facebook with a firsthand account: “Items fell from shelves and tables, pictures crashed off walls. Was hard to stand up. Never felt an earthquake go for that long.” Social media buzzed as Tongans checked in, confirming phone lines held strong across most of the 171 islands that make up this Polynesian nation of over 100,000.

No Damage, No Lives Lost—Yet

Mafua Maka, head of Tonga’s disaster management agency, told Radio New Zealand there’s no word of injuries or wrecked buildings so far. “We’ll know more once daylight hits,” local outlets reported. For now, it seems Tonga dodged a bullet. After the all-clear, people trickled back home, grateful for the calm after the storm.

Why Tonga Feels the Earth Move

Nestled 1,800 kilometers (1,100 miles) northeast of New Zealand, Tonga sits on the Pacific Ring of Fire—a hotspot for earthquakes and volcanic eruptions. This low-lying island chain knows the stakes all too well. Back in 2022, a volcanic eruption triggered a tsunami that claimed three lives and left scars across the nation. Monday’s quake was a stark reminder of that shaky ground, but this time, the outcome’s brighter.

What’s Next?

With the tsunami threat gone, Tonga’s focus shifts to assessing any hidden damage as the sun rises. For now, the islands stand strong—shaken, but not broken. Have you ever felt an earthquake like that? Share your story below!