A 7.3 magnitude earthquake struck the Kermadec Islands region near New Zealand on Monday, the United States Geological Survey (USGS) said.
According to a report by Reuters, the quake was at a depth of 10 km. Based on the initial assessment, there was no immediate threat of tsunami to New Zealand, the National Emergency Management Agency said.
"Anyone near the coast who felt a LONG or STRONG quake should MOVE IMMEDIATELY to the nearest high ground, or as far inland as you can," the agency had earlier said.
Last month, an earthquake measuring 7.1 on the Richter scale struck the Kermadec Islands.
New Zealand is prone to earthquakes as it is located on the boundary of two of the world's major tectonic plates – the Pacific Plate and the Australian Plate. It is also on the edge of a zone of intense seismic activity known as the Ring of Fire. Every year, thousands of earthquakes shake New Zealand.
