An earthquake measuring 6.6 on the Richter scale has struck near the Northern Mariana Islands in the north Pacific.
It struck mid morning Wednesday at a depth of 51 kilometres and about 230 kilometres off Saipan.
It is not expected to generate a tsunami.
Public and private schools conducted earthquake drills due to the strong quake but didn't cancel classes.
Some government offices and private businesses also had their staff evacuate as a precaution.