A strong quake of magnitude 6.8 struck north of Antarctica on Wednesday, the U.S. Geological Survey said, but it was not expected to cause a tsunami.

An earthquake with a magnitude of 6.8 struck north of the South Pacific island nation of Vanuatu on Tuesday, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) said.

The region of Hokkaido, Xinhua in Japan has been hit by a preliminary 5.5 magnitude earthquake, according to the Japan Meteorological Agency.

Santiago - A magnitude 5.9 earthquake rocked central Chile late on Saturday, monitors said, though there were no immediate reports of injuries or damage.

JOHANNESBURG South Africa (Xinhua) -- A 6.5 magnitude earthquake was registered in the of Botswana capital Gaborone at 7:40 p.m. on Monday.

An earthquake with a magnitude of 5.7 struck northwest of the South Pacific island nation of Vanuatu on Monday, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) said.

Government has set a task team comprising experts to assess the country's state of preparedness to earthquakes and the capacity of the Meteorological Services Department to carry out its mandate.

PANIC and fear gripped the Zambezi region after people felt the tremor from the earthquake that hit Botswana at around 19h40 on Monday night.

An earth tremor was felt in parts of South Africa early Monday morning with no reported casualties.