Thursday, a 7.6-magnitude earthquake struck the Tonga Islands in the South Pacific Ocean, according to the American Institute of Geological Studies, but no damage or casualties were reported.
The earthquake occurred at 05:02 (16:02 GMT Wednesday), about 100 kilometers from the isolated volcanic island of Niwatopotapu (north), and at a depth of 210 kilometers, according to the same source.
He said the earthquake did not lead to a tsunami risk.
“We had calls early in the morning from people who felt (the quake), but there was no word of damage,” said Gary Fitt of the Tonga Meteorological Service.
The quake was also felt by residents of areas 360 km from its epicenter, including in Apia, the capital of Samoa.
A spokesman for the Samoan Meteorological Service said “strong tremors” hit the Samoa office building near Apia, but there was no word of damage.
Tonga and Samoa are located on the Pacific “Ring of Fire”, an area where tectonic plates meet, leading to frequent seismic activity.
