A powerful earthquake of magnitude 7.6 struck off the Pacific island nation of Tonga on Tuesday, the United States Geological Survey (USGS) reported.
The tremor occurred at a depth of 237 kilometres (147 miles) and was centred approximately 150 kilometres west of Neiafu, Tonga’s second-largest town, the USGS said.
Authorities confirmed that the quake did not trigger a tsunami alert, and no immediate damage or casualties have been reported.
Tonga lies along the Pacific “Ring of Fire,” making it prone to frequent seismic activity.
