SAMOA EARTHQUAKE: Huge 6.9 magnitude tremor strikes Ring of Fire sparking tsunami fears

SAMOA EARTHQUAKE: Huge 6.9 magnitude tremor strikes Ring of Fire sparking tsunami fears

A HUGE 6.9 magnitude earthquake hit a collection of islands along the Ring of Fire today sparking fears a tsunami could strike.

By Vickiie Oliphant

PUBLISHED: 10:14, Sat, Nov 4, 2017 | UPDATED: 10:16, Sat, Nov 4, 2017

‘Ring of Fire’ produces 90% of the world’s earthquakes
Mute
Current Time 0:00
/
Duration Time 0:00

The quake had a depth of 32 kilometres and struck 192km south-west of Apia, in Samoa, the US Geological Survey said.

The area forms part of the Pacific Ring of Fire, where tectonic plates in the Earth's lithosphere meet and earthquakes and volcanic activity are common.

Local reports say the earthquake "was one of the longest tremors felt in Samoa for a while" and lasted for around a minute with people running out of their homes and into open spaces.

But members of the public have been assured there is no tsunami warning as a result of the strong earthquake, which rattled the country tonight.
Related articles

TENERIFE VOLCANO WARNING: Fears Mount Teide is about to BLOW
BIG ONE WARNING: Fears as 11 earthquakes strike off Australia coast

Earthquake in Samoa todayUSGS
A 6.9 magnitude earthquake hit Samoa today

Early reports suggest the quake was also felt in Tonga, and was located 138km north east of the island.

Citizens have taken to social media following the quake to share their experiences.

One Twitter user said: “Literally grabbed Aniva out of her crib & ran for my life downstairs that earthquake was crazy! Hope y'all ok Samoa! Stay safe.”

Another tweeted: “Earthquake here in American Samoa! Damn is it our turn again! Lol.”

A third added: “A 6.9 magnitude earthquake hit American Samoa about 10 minutes ago. Prayers up for us locals pls, severe damages could happen to our island.”

Samoa Earthquakeearthquake track - national geographic
Samoa Earthquake: Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre confirmed there was no threat of a tsunami

Literally grabbed Aniva out of her crib & ran for my life downstairs that earthquake was crazy

Twitter user in Samoa

The Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre confirmed earlier today that there was no threat of a tsunami following the quake.

The Samoa Meteorological Service said in a statement: “An earthquake with a magnitude of 6.7 has occurred within the Samoan Region, on Saturday 4th November 2017 at 11:00 pm.

“The depth is 32km and the distance is 192 kilometres South West of Apia.

“The public is advised that there is "NO TSUNAMI" generated by the earthquake.”
Mexico earthquake: Pictures from the scene
Fri, September 8, 2017
Latest pictures after a rare and powerful 8.4-magnitude earthquake struck southern Mexico

A car is destroyed after an 8.2 earthquake struck Mexico

Soldiers help children to get on a truck as residents are being evacuated from their coastal town after an earthquake struck off the southern coast, in Puerto Madero
People stand in line to register in a shelter after they were evacuated from their coastal town after an earthquake struck off the southern coast, in Tapachula
A view of an area damage in an entrance of the Benito Juarez international airport after an earthquake hit Mexico City

Footage shows house SHAKING during Chile earthquake


In 2009, Samoa was struck by a massive 8.1 magnitude earthquake - the largest across the globe that year.

The quake, in turn, caused a devastating tsunami, which caused substantial damage across Samoa, American Samoa and Tonga and cost the lives of 189 people with hundreds more injured.

Earlier this year, countries bordering the ocean rim Ring of Fire tested their capacity to handle a major tsunami in an emergency exercise.

The crucial demonstration in February was held to identify possible shortcomings in a system designed to forewarn of an impending disaster from the Pacific Ocean that could threaten hundreds of thousands of lives.

Samoa earthquake and tsunami in 2009GETTY
Samoa earthquake: In 2009 a tsunami killed almsot 200

Samoa tsunamiGETTY
In 2009, Samoa was struck by a massive 8.1 magnitude earthquake

About 76 percent of the world’s deadly tsunami occurrences take place in the Pacific Ocean and connected seas.

On average, one destructive local tsunami occurs in the region every year or two while a Pacific Ocean-wide tsunami hits the region several times per century.

Five deadly tsunamis have hit the region over the past eight years: Samoa and Tonga were hit in 2009, Chile in 2010 and 2015, Japan in 2011 and the Solomon Islands in 2013.
Related articles