7.0 Earthquake hits overseas French island

By Recep Sakar

MELBOURNE (AA) - An earthquake measuring 7.0 on the Richter scale struck in the Pacific near the overseas French territory of New Caledonia, the U.S. Geological Survey said on Monday.

The epicenter of the quake was located around 82 kilometers (51 miles) east-northeast of Tadine, on Mare Island at a depth of 10 kilometers (6 miles), it said.

The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center (PTWC) later said tsunami waves ranging from 0,3 and one meter higher than the high-tide mark were observed.