A 7.6 magnitude earthquake struck off the coast of New Zealand's Kermadec Islands on July 7th. A tsunami warning was issued as it was forecast that the earthquake could generate a tsunami. The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center issued a tsunami warning for New Zealand, Tonga, and other Pacific islands. While there was little damage from the initial earthquake, there was potential for a tsunami to cause damage near the epicenter along coastlines. The Kermadec Islands have no permanent population aside from a small New Zealand maintenance team on Raul Island.