SYDNEY, May 19 (Xinhua) -- The U.S. Pacific Tsunami Warning Center has lifted the tsunami warning hours after the 7.7-magnitude earthquake jolted southeast of the Loyalty Islands on Friday, with the Australian Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) confirming that no threat exists to Lord Howe Island.
The U.S. Tsunami Warning System indicated that the tsunami threat has now largely passed. The only potential impact left is that minor sea level fluctuations of up to 0.3 meters above and below the normal tide may continue over the next few hours.
At about 8:00 p.m. local time on Friday, Australia's BOM released a statement that the tsunami warning for Lord Howe Island was canceled.
"The main tsunami waves have now passed all expected Lord Howe Island locations. Small unusual waves may continue but are no longer expected to be dangerous," said the BOM.
According to a report from the AFP news agency, an official said that New Caledonia also lifted the tsunami warning.
Currently, there has been no injury or casualties reported in regard to the earthquake. ■