Strong quake hits South Pacific

A 6.2 magnitude earthquake strikes deep under the sea floor between Fiji and Tonga on Tuesday, scientists say.

A powerful earthquake struck deep under the sea floor between Fiji and Tonga on Tuesday, scientists said. There were no immediate reports of damage or tsunami warnings issued.

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The 6.2 magnitude quake happened shortly before 2:30 am, IST, 407 kilometers under the ocean floor about the same distance northwest of the Tongan capital of Nuku'alofa, the US Geological Survey said.

The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center, a Hawaii-based agency that monitors seismic activity in the Pacific Ocean, did not immediately issue a bulletin warning of a risk of dangerous waves caused by the quake.

Earthquakes occur regularly in the South Pacific, where several tectonic plates converge. Most earthquakes occur deep under the sea floor, in very remote areas and cause little damage.