Moderate quake strikes off Tonga: USGS

A moderate earthquake with a magnitude of 5.9 struck off the coast of Tonga in the South Pacific, the United States Geological Survey (USGS) said.

A moderate earthquake with a magnitude of 5.9 struck off the coast of Tonga in the South Pacific, the United States Geological Survey (USGS) said.

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The quake hit at 5.40 IST on Monday was centered 145 kilometres south of the capital Nuku'alofa at a depth of 84.6 kilometres.

There were no immediate reports of damage and no tsunami warning was issued.

Tonga is near fault lines in the Pacific "Ring of Fire" where continental plates in the earth's crust meet and earthquakes and volcanic activity are common.