Tonga earthquake: Magnitude 6.4 quake strikes off Pacific island, says USGS

Island nation frequently experiences tremors

(USGS)

A 6.4-magnitude earthquake has struck off the coast of the Pacific island of Tonga, the US Geological Society has said.

The centre of the quake was 123 miles north-east of the Tongan capital of Nuku'alofa and was 14km deep - relatively shallow for an earthquake.

No damage has been reported and a tsunami warning was not issued.

The tiny island nation of Tonga lies close to a major faultline and frequently experiences earthquakes and tremors.

It sits within the Pacific "Ring of Fire" - a geologically active area that encompasses parts of south-east Asia, Micronesia and the western side of the Americas.

Sizeable earthquakes have struck New Zealand, Indonesia, Papua New Guinea and Japan in recent weeks.