This graphic image shows travel times for tsunami waves.
Tongan residents are advised to stay out of the water and off the beaches and wharves from tonight until this morning’s tsunami warning for the Pacific is lifted.
A Tsunami Marine Alert is now in-force for Tonga.
Tonga Meteorological Service said this evening a Tsunami wave of between 1Ft (foot) and 1M (meter) is expected to arrive at Tonga’s coastline at around 01:00AM (early tomorrow morning) Friday 18.
The Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre in Hawaii said that following the 8.3 earthquake that struck Chile this morning it forecasted tsunami waves can reach more than three metres above the tide level. It said it was possible they could reach coasts in the Pacific Islands including Tonga.
