Free Republic

WELLINGTON—New Zealand's Ministry of Civil Defense and Emergency Management issued a marine threat for the country's North Island after a magnitude 7.8 earthquake struck in the Kermadec Islands region in the southern Pacific Ocean early Thursday morning New Zealand time. "Confirmation been received that a tsunami was generated," the Ministry of Civil Defense said. It said a marine threat for Northland, Bay of Plenty, East Coast and Hawkes Bay had been identified. All are located on New Zealand's North Island. The ministry said the first wave would arrive in New Zealand round 8:52 a.m. local time. "

Just reported on FOX

A powerful magnitude 7.8 earthquake struck off New Zealand's Kermadec Islands, triggering a tsunami in the region, the U.S. Geological Survey and the U.S. Pacific Tsunami Center 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 U.S. Pacific Tsunami Center 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 U.S. Pacific Tsunami Center said in its warning. It struck at 7:03 a.m. on Thursday (1903 GMT on Wednesday)...