Following a series of strong earthquakes on Friday in the Southern Pacific region near New Zealand, evacuation notices were issued in Vanuatu and New Caledonia after authorities observed tsunami waves in the region with enough potential to cause severe destruction. 

“Tsunami waves have been observed,” the Hawaii-based Pacific Tsunami Warning Center said, announcing ocean gauges had observed small waves near Nuku’alofa, the capital of Tonga measuring about 1.3 inches, reported AFP. 

Also Read: New Zealand issues tsunami warning after another 8.1 quake hits Kermadec Islands

After three major earthquakes in the region, with the highest reaching the intensity of 8.1 on the scale, it is being estimated that New Caledonia and Vanuatu could be hit by waves up to three meters tall under the assumption that such tsunami waves caused after tectonic movement tend to gain power after traveling away from the epicenter. 

Even though sufficient warnings have been deployed in New Zealand as the primary response to the observations, it is estimated that the waves do not pose an immediate threat to the country’s people or infrastructure. 

This is because the quake was recorded about 620 miles off the coast of New Zealand and the effects of the tremors are expected to be isolated away from the country.

Also Read: 5 most powerful earthquakes ever recorded in New Zealand

Jacinda Ardern, the Prime Minister of New Zealand wrote on Facebook, “Hope everyone is ok out there.”

New Zealand has had a history of being vulnerable to such tectonic movements in the past, with the Christchurch earthquake in 2011 being the deadliest. The quake destroyed a significant part of the city’s downtown and claimed 185 lives.