FIJI, Aug 19: A major earthquake has struck in the Pacific Ocean near Fiji and Tonga.

The powerful magnitude 8.2 tremor struck off Ndoi Island on Sunday.

The earthquake struck at a depth of 559.6km, according to the United States Geological Survey.

The quake was 347.7 miles (559.57 km) below the Earth which 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 located 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.

 
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