Powerful quake strikes off Tonga

PHOTO

Damage from the September tsunami that hit Tonga. [ABC]

Last Updated: Wed, 25 Nov 2009 15:59:00 +1100

A powerful earthquake has occurred in the Pacific Ocean about 200 kilometres east-northeast of Tonga.

The United States Geological Survey says the 6.8 magnitude quake was recorded at a depth of 61 kilometres.

There were no immediate reports of damage or injury.

The Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre says based on all available data, a destructive Pacific-wide tsunami is not expected.

But it says quakes of that size sometimes generate local tsunamis that can be destructive along coasts within 100 kilometres of the epicentre.

The quake was followed by an aftershock of 5.6 magnitude.

A tsunami caused death and destruction to Tonga, Samoa and American Samoa on September 30.