Powerful Magnitude 7.2 Earthquake Hits Near South Pole

TOKYO — A powerful earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 7.2 hit near the South Pole, Japan's weather agency said Sunday. The temblor hit at around 0341 GMT, Japan's Meteorological Agency reported. The agency did not indicate the quake's depth. The agency, which said it received magnitude data from the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center, said the quake was centered in waters in the Scotia Sea. The Scotia Sea lies between Antarctica and South America. The quake's magnitude is sufficient to produce a tsunami in shallow waters, the agency said. It added that the quake posed no tsunami threat to Japan. http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,209475,00.html