The earthquake struck 54km south of Merizo Village at a depth of 75km at 6.45pm local time (8.45 UK time), according to United States Geological Survey (USGS). There are no immediate reports of casualties or damage to buildings on the island, in the western Pacific Ocean. No tidal wave alerts have been issued by the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center. Guam is roughly the size of the US state of Chicago
and has a population of around 162,000 people. US Navy and Air Force bases cover 30% of the 8.5 mile-wide remote island. Around 6,000 US troops are based at stations across the island. It becomes a US territory in 1898 and has been a vital asset to Washington ever since. The island was a crucial base during World War 2 due to its proximity to China, Japan and the Korean Peninsula. READ MORE
