Great Earthquakes In Diverse Places
Updated Monday, February 14, 2011 11:23 am TWN, AFP
6.1-magnitude earthquake strikes off Tonga: USGS
WELLINGTON -- A strong 6.1-magnitude earthquake struck under the
sea some 55 kilometers (34 miles) from the capital of Tonga
Sunday, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) said, but no tsunami
warning was issued.
The quake hit northwest of the South Pacific archipelago's capital
Nuku'Alofa at a depth of 81 kilometers (50 miles), some 290
kilometers (180 miles) from its second largest town of Neiafu.
There were no immediate reports of damage or casualties from the
quake at 06.57am local time on Sunday (1757 GMT Saturday).
Tonga, almost 2,000 kilometers (1,200 miles) northeast of New
Zealand, lies on the so-called Pacific “Ring of Fire,” where
continental plates collide causing frequent volcanic and seismic
activity.