6.8-magnitude underwater quake off Tonga Eds: APNewsNow.

SYDNEY (AP) U.S. Geological Survey is reporting a 6.8-magnitude underwater earthquake off the Pacific island nation of Tonga. There was no immediate word on whether it caused any damage or injuries.

The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center reported shortly after the quake late Tuesday that there was no threat of a destructive widespread tsunami.

But it added that powerful earthquakes of this size can generate tsunamis on coasts within 100 kilometers (60 miles) of the epicenter.

The USGS said the quake was centered 120 miles (195 kilometers) northeast of the capital, Nuku'alofa, at a depth of 38 miles (62 kilometers).

On Sept. 29, a tsunami spawned by a magnitude-8.3 earthquake killed 34 people in American Samoa, 183 in Samoa and nine in Tonga.

(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.) APNP 11-24-09 0807CST | save this article / add to your favorites list