Hong Kong, Aug 15 (IANS) An earthquake measuring 5.9 on the Richter scale jolted Mariana Islands in the northwestern Pacific Ocean Saturday, the US Geological Survey said.

The quake hit the island at 1444 GMT. The epicentre, with the depth of 66 km, was initially determined to be 12.32 degrees north latitude and 141.6 degrees east longitude, Xinhua reported.

The tremor occurred after a 7.2-magnitude quake hit a nearby area at 2119 GMT Friday.