7.3-magnitude earthquake hits New Caledonia: USGS

SYDNEY: A 7.3-magnitude earthquake hit off the coast of New Caledonia on early Monday in the tectonically active Pacific region, tsunami warning was issued, the US Geological Survey said.

The quake, measured at 7.3, was centered 42 miles east-northeast of Tadine, Loyalty Islands, at a depth of 15.5 miles (25 km), the USGS said.

Tsunami warning and advisory were issued in the region by The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center.

Earthquakes are not unusual in that particular region. New Caledonia is a French territory, made up a series of islands.