The Bureau of Meteorology on Friday afternoon warned of a potential threat to people on Lord Howe Island following the undersea earthquake at 12.57pm eastern time near the Southeast of the Loyalty Islands.

In an update shortly after 2pm, the BoM said an eight centimetre tsunami wave had been observed in New Caledonia.

A potential tsunami could begin affecting Lord Howe Island after 4.15pm, BoM said.

An alert from the agency at 1.10pm stated the Joint Australian Tsunami Warning Centre was closely monitoring the situation and would “advise immediately if there is cause for concern”.

There is no threat posed to Australia’s mainland, while islands close to the earquake have not been identified as at risk.

More to come.