A 7.1 magnitude earthquake has struck near Tonga, prompting a tsunami warning for the Pacific Island country.

The temblor hit around 100km (62 miles) northeast of the main island early on Monday local time, according to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS).

Germany’s GFZ centre for geosciences had earlier pegged the earthquake at magnitude 6.6.

The quake struck six miles deep, far shallower than the 18-mile deep Boxing Day tsunami.

But a shallow quake shakes the ground more severely, meaning the likelihood of a major tsunami is increased.

Hazardous waves could be possible for coasts within 300km (185 miles) of the quake’s epicentre, according to the Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre.