Tsunami warning after 7.2-magnitude quake off Fiji

SYDNEY: A shallow 7.2-magnitude earthquake struck off the coast of Fiji on Wednesday, the US Geological Survey said, triggering a local tsunami warning.

The quake hit at a depth of 15 kilometres (9.3 miles) some 221 kilometres from Nadi and 283 kilometres from the Fijian capital Suva.

"Hazardous tsunami waves from this earthquake are possible within 300 kilometres of the epicentre along the coasts of Fiji," the Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre said, adding that waves could be up to one metre above the tide level.

Geoscience Australia said damage was possible only within an estimated 110 kilometre radius, well away from the nearest land.

The area lies on the Pacific "Ring of Fire", a highly active tectonic zone that frequently experiences earthquakes and volcanic eruptions.