Wellington, Nov 11 (AP) A powerful underwater earthquake struck on Friday off Tonga in the southern Pacific, prompting authorities to issue a tsunami advisory.

The US Geological Survey said the magnitude 7.3 quake was centered 211 kilometers (132 miles) east-southeast of Neiafu, Tonga, at a depth of 24.8 kilometers (15 miles).

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It predicted strong shaking but said the probability of serious damage or casualties was small.

The US Tsunami Warning System issued a tsunami advisory, which is one step below a tsunami warning.

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An undersea volcano erupted in Tonga in January, killing three people, blanketing its main island with a thick layer of volcanic ash and shooting millions of tons of water vapor high up into the atmosphere. (AP)

(The above story is verified and authored by Press Trust of India (PTI) staff. PTI, India’s premier news agency, employs more than 400 journalists and 500 stringers to cover almost every district and small town in India.. The views appearing in the above post do not reflect the opinions of LatestLY)