New Zealand hit by 2 strong quakes

New Zealand on Tuesday experienced two strong earthquakes, but there were no immediate reports of injuries or significant damage.

The first magnitude 5.6 tremor struck off the coast of New Zealand’s North Island, and it was followed about five hours later by a magnitude 5.3 quake that struck the South Island.

The epicenter of the first quake on Tuesday was about 200 kilometers (120 miles) northeast of the capital Wellington, according to the US Geological Survey, and occurred at a relatively shallow depth of 10 kilometers (6 miles).

The second quake occurred 78 kilometers (48 miles) northeast of Christchurch at a shallow depth of 4 kilometers and was felt in the city.

No tsunami warnings were issued after Tuesday’s quakes.

They appear to have been an aftershock from last week’s powerful earthquake.

Last Monday’s quake was measured at magnitude 7.8 and killed two people.

An earthquake Christchurch five years ago killed 185 people and destroyed thousands of buildings.

New Zealand is situated on the “Ring of Fire,” an arc of seismic faults around the Pacific Ocean where earthquakes are common.

By: World Israel News Staff
AP contributed to this report