Tsunami warning for three Pacific islands after quake

The magnitude 7.1 undersea quake hit off New Caledonia, and had already sent small waves toward the island.

Tsunami waves as tall as a metre above the tide level were possible along the coasts Fiji, New Caledonia and Vanuatu following a powerful earthquake in the South Pacific, the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center said on Wednesday.
The magnitude 7.1 undersea quake hit off New Caledonia about 0350 GMT, and had already sent small waves radiating out toward the Loyalty Islands, some 250 km (155 miles) east of the epicentre.

Waves between 30 cm and 1 metre (1 to 3.3 ft) were possible at some coasts of Fiji, New Caledonia and Vanuatu, while smaller waves could reach dozens of other islands, the warning center said.
The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center said "small tsunami waves have been observed".
"Persons along coastal areas near the earthquake should be observant and exercise normal caution. Otherwise, no action is required," it added.
Geoscience Australia said shaking would have been felt throughout New Caledonia, but it put the damage radius at 103 kilometres - well away from land.
New Caledonia, a French overseas territory, is located within the "Ring of Fire", a zone of tectonic activity around the Pacific that is subject to frequent earthquakes and volcanic eruptions.