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Massive Quake Strikes Near Tonga

by Reuters

   A massive quake of magnitude 8.2 struck in the Pacific Ocean close to
   Fiji and Tonga on Sunday, but it was very deep and did not trigger a
   tsunami, the U.S. Geological Survey and U.S. Tsunami Warning Center
   said.

   The quake struck 347.7 miles (559.57 km) down. That depth would have
   dampened the shaking at the surface.

   The U.S. Tsunami Warning Center said the quake was too deep to cause a
   tsunami.

   The quake was initially reported as a magnitude 8.0 and then upgraded
   to 8.2, a magnitude that could cause tremendous damage had it not been
   so deep.

   The epicenter was 167 miles (270 km) east of Levuka in Fiji and 275
   miles (443 km) west of Neiafu in Tonga.

   The area is located on the earthquake-prone Ring of Fire.