Magnitude 6.1 Quake Rocks Southern Tonga
Pastor Dale Morgan
Magnitude 6.1 Quake Rocks Southern Tonga*
The Associated Press
August 16, 2006; 9:43 PM
NUKU'ALOFA, Tonga -- A strong earthquake shook the Pacific island nation
of Tonga on Wednesday, rocking the capital for several seconds but
causing no injuries or damage, police said.
The magnitude 6.1 quake was centered 65 miles west of the capital and
about 100 miles below the earth's surface, the U.S. Geological Survey
said. There were no reports of a tsunami warning being issued,
"It was felt all over Nuku'alofa," said journalist Pesi Fonua, adding
the tremblor shook buildings in the city's downtown area.
Tonga has been rocked by scores of quakes recently, including a
7.8-magnitude temblor on May 4 that damaged some buildings.
Tonga, located halfway between Australia and Tahiti _ has a population
of around 108,000 and an economy dependent on pumpkin and vanilla
exports, fishing, foreign aid and remittances from Tongans abroad.