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.

“I would not expect any damage. People will feel it, but it’s so deep that I would not expect any damage,” USGS geophysicist Jana Pursley said by telephone.

The U.S. Tsunami Warning Center said the quake was too deep to cause a tsunami, however later reports indicated a small tsunami was observed.

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

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

 

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Source: VOA News: War and Conflict