Strong Quakes, Tonga

Two strong earthquakes struck the Tonga region of the South Pacific this evening, New Zealand time.

Monday, 30th March 2015

Two strong undersea earthquakes struck the near Tonga in quick succession this evening.

The U.S. Geological Survey reports that the first event was a magnitude 6.4 earthquake centred 109 km north-east of Hihifo, Tonga at 9:18 p.m. New Zealand Daylight Time (NZDT). The quake was 11 km deep.

The Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre reports this quake as magnitude 6.8 at a depth of 80 km. Its analysis was that there was no tsunami threat from this earthquake.

Geoscience Australia reports this event as magnitude 6.8 at a depth of 60 km. It estimates that the quake would have caused damage within 80 km of the epicentre and could have been felt up to 1,000 km away.

The second earthquake struck the region half an hour later. The U.S. Geological Survey reports this earthquake as magnitude 6.5 centred 99 km east-north-east of Hihifo, Tonga at 9:48 p.m. NZDT. The quake was 15 km deep.

The Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre reports this quake as magnitude 6.8 at a depth of 55 km. The centre determined that there was no tsunami threat as a result of this earthquake.

Geoscience Australia reports this event as magnitude 6.8 but reports a depth of 0 km. It estimates that this earthquake would have caused damage within 80 km of the epicentre and would have been felt up to 1,000 km away.

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