Big Earthquake Hits South Pacific Islands

Update 4:08 EDT: The USGS has revised the magnitude to 7.6. The tsunami warning has been canceled.

An earthquake has struck the South Pacific Islands. The preliminary magnitude was 7.8, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. A tsunami warning is in effect for parts of the South Pacific, including New Zealand. Details from the USGS:

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July 06, 2011 at 19:03:16 UTC

July 07, 2011 at 07:03:16 AM at epicenter

Location: 29.312 S, 176.204 W

Depth: 1 km (0.6 miles)

Distances from epicenter:

161 km (100 miles) E (93

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