No damage after Samoa quake generates small tsunami

SYDNEY (Reuters) - A strong earthquake with a magnitude of up to 7.0 hit near the South Pacific nation of Samoa on Thursday and triggered a small tsunami but there were no reports of damage, officials said.

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The center of the quake was between Samoa, Tonga and American Samoa and at least 250 km (155 miles) from the nearest major populated centers.

The Pacific

Tsunami Warning Center said a tide gauge in Pago Pago, American Samoa's harborside capital, had measured the wave at 8 cm. Australian seismologists said Samoa was lucky the quake wasn't bigger and that it was a long way from populated centers.