MELBOURNE, Australia — A magnitude-6.6 earthquake struck in the South Pacific near the island nation of Samoa on Friday, but caused no apparent damage.

The quake occurred 440 kilometers (273 miles) southwest of the capital Apia at a depth of 314 kilometers (195 miles), the U.S. Geological Survey said.

Jarrett Malifa, a staff member at the Samoa Observer news website, said no damage or injury has been reported.

Malifa said in a email Samoa Meteorological Services had confirmed there was no tsunami threat.

The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center in Honolulu also assessed there was no tsunami threat.

Samoa sits on the “Ring of Fire,” an arc of seismic faults around the Pacific Ocean where earthquakes and volcanoes are common.

In 2009, two large earthquakes struck midway between Samoa and American Samoa, a U.S. territory. The earthquakes generated tsunami waves that killed at least 192 people in Samoa, American Samoa and Tonga.

Search for suspect leads to school lockout ... Town approves new Chick-fil-A ... Traveling with Blakeman as he campaigns upstate Credit: Newsday

AG: Babylon school officials let misconduct be 'normalized' ... Search for suspect leads to school lockout ... House speaker on LI ... Working Moms: Negotiating a return to work

Search for suspect leads to school lockout ... Town approves new Chick-fil-A ... Traveling with Blakeman as he campaigns upstate Credit: Newsday

AG: Babylon school officials let misconduct be 'normalized' ... Search for suspect leads to school lockout ... House speaker on LI ... Working Moms: Negotiating a return to work

Subscribe

Unlimited Digital AccessOnly 25¢for 6 months

SUBSCRIBESALE ENDS SOON | CANCEL ANYTIME