6.3-Magnitude Earthquake Hits Off Tonga

TONGA (CBS SF) -- The U.S. Geological Survey says a strong earthquake has struck the Pacific nation of Tonga, but no tsunami threat was expected.

The quake's epicenter was located 55 miles northeast of Hihifo, Tonga, and struck at a depth of just under 18 miles.

The quake struck at 4:07 a.m. pacific time.

There is no tsunami threat from this earthquake, according to NOAA's Pacific Tsunami Warning Center.

Earthquakes are common in the region, which lies on the "Ring of Fire" — an arc of earthquake and volcanic activity that stretches around the Pacific Rim.

COMPLETE QUAKE COVERAGE: CBS Earthquake Resource Center

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Strong earthquakes with an epicenter off the coast can trigger tsunamis, depending on the size and type of the fault movement. The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center tracks earthquake data for the West Coast.
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