Massive 8.2 quake strikes in the Pacific

An earthquake measuring 8.2 has struck in the Pacific Ocean close to Fiji and Tonga but it was very deep and did not trigger a tsunami.

The location of the quake. Source: The US Geological Survey

A massive earthquake of magnitude 8.2 has struck in the Pacific Ocean close to Fiji and Tonga but it was very deep and did not trigger a tsunami, the US Geological Survey and US Tsunami Warning Center says.

The quake struck at 0020 GMT (10:20 AEST) on Sunday and was 560km below the Earth which would have dampened the shaking at the surface.

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

There were no immediate reports of damage or potential casualties.

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 270km east of Levuka in Fiji and 443km west of Neiafu in Tonga.

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