A powerful 6.9 magnitude earthquake has struck the Pacific Ocean near Tonga, seismologists say. There were no immediate reports of serious damage and no tsunami warnings have been issued.
The earthquake occurred on Monday at 12:29 p.m. local time. Its epicenter was in the ocean, about 15 kilometers from the volcanic island of Tofua, 140 kilometers north of the capital Nuku’alofa.
According to the US Geological Survey (USGS), the earthquake had a magnitude of 6.9 and occurred about 106 kilometers below the seafloor, making it a relatively deep earthquake.
A resident of Nuku’alofa said the earthquake was felt in the capital and lasted more than a minute. There were no immediate reports of serious damage or injuries.
Computer models suggest that as many as 107,000 people may have felt Monday’s earthquake, including 6,000 people who may have experienced “very strong” shaking, according to the USGS. Another 98,000 people may have felt “strong” shaking.
“Based on all available data, there is no tsunami threat from this earthquake,” said a bulletin from the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center.
Tonga lies on the so-called “Pacific Ring of Fire”, an arc of fault lines that encircles the earthquake-prone Pacific basin. The region, which is one of the most geologically active parts of the world, is also prone to frequent volcanic eruptions.
Tonga has a population of 100,000 people and consists of 171 islands located about a third of the way between New Zealand and Hawaii. Only 39 of the islands are permanently inhabited. Many buildings in Tonga are at risk from earthquakes.
On September 29, 2009, an 8.1 magnitude earthquake struck northeast of Hihifo, Tonga, triggering tsunamis that killed nearly 200 people and injured hundreds more in Tonga, American Samoa, Samoa, and other nearby island nations.
