Preliminary magnitude 7.6 earthquake strikes near Tonga in South Pacific Ocean

NEIAFU (TONGA): (Mar 24) (AP) A strong preliminary magnitude 7.6 earthquake struck near Tonga in the South Pacific Ocean on Tuesday.

The United States Geological Survey said the quake struck early Tuesday evening local time at a depth of about 237 km.

Earthquakes at shallower depths are felt more strongly at the surface.