WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) – New Zealand officials issued a tsunami warning for coastal areas after a powerful shallow earthquake struck its northeast coast on Thursday night. No serious injuries or casualties were reported immediately.
The New Zealand National Emergency Management Agency warned of a tsunami threat in the east of the north island of the country after the 7.3-magnitude earthquake.
The U.S. tsunami alert system predicted waves of 0.3 to 1 meter (1 to 3.3 feet), but later said the threat had passed.
The U.S. Geological Survey said the quake centered at a depth of 20.8 kilometers under the ocean about 174 kilometers (108 miles) northeast of the city of Gisborne. Gisborne residents reported mild to moderate tremors.
A magnitude 6.3 earthquake struck the city of Christchurch in 2011, killing 185 people and destroying much of the city center.