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7.2-magnitude quake strikes off Tonga

Agence France-Presse

<p>WELLINGTON - A powerful 7.2-magnitude earthquake struck off the Pacific island nation of Tonga on Friday, but no tsunami warning was issued, US monitoring agencies said.</p><p>The earthquake struck shortly after 7:00 am (1800 GMT Thursday) at a depth of 167 kilometers (103 miles) some 290 kilometers southwest of the capital Nuku&#x27;alofa, the United States Geological Survey said.</p><p>Gary Vite, chief meteorologist at the Tonga Meteorological Services told AFP there were no immediate reports of damage.</p><p>The Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre said there was no tsunami threat, based on available information.</p><ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/video/news/06/15/23/employees-students-in-ncr-evacuate-due-to-earthquake">Employees, students in NCR evacuate due to earthquake</a></li></ul><p>Veisina Sangusangu, a receptionist at the Little Italy hotel in Nuku&#x27;alofa, said the quake lasted about 30 seconds.</p><p>&quot;It was stronger than the earthquakes we usually feel. The building shook,&quot; she added.</p><p>Tonga sits on the Pacific &quot;Ring of Fire&quot;, where tectonic plates often shift, frequently experiencing seismic activity.</p><div><strong>RELATED VIDEO</strong></div><figure class="op-interactive"><iframe height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Yf3On49T7O4?enablejsapi=1" width="560"></iframe></figure><div class="iwantbar">Watch more News on <a href="https://www.iwanttfc.com/#!/browse/Genres/News/tag_id_genres/id_news" target="_blank">iWantTFC</a></div>

Tonga sits on the Pacific 'Ring of Fire', where tectonic plates often shift, frequently experiencing seismic activity.