Underwater earthquake struck near Tonga in southern Pacific
Tonga's authorities issued and later lifted a tsunami advisory
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}A powerful, shallow underwater earthquake struck Friday near Tonga in the southern Pacific, prompting authorities to issue and then lift a tsunami advisory.
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The U.S. Geological Survey said the magnitude 7.3 quake was centered 132 miles east-southeast of Neiafu, Tonga, at a depth of 15 miles. It predicted strong shaking but said the probability of serious damage or casualties was small.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}An underwater earthquake has made itself aware near Tonga in the southern Pacific. Pictured: A beach resort hit by tsunami when the Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha'apai volcano erupted violently, the triggering the tsunami in Tonga on Jan. 20, 2022. (Ha'atafu Beach Resort/Handout via Xinhu)
The U.S. Tsunami Warning System issued and later lifted a tsunami advisory, which is one step below a tsunami warning.
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An undersea volcano erupted in Tonga in January, killing three people, blanketing its main island with a thick layer of volcanic ash and shooting millions of tons of water vapor high up into the atmosphere.