Powerful earthquake hits off north New Zealand

MELBOURNE, Australia (AA) – A powerful earthquake hit off the coast of New Zealand early Friday, with tremors reportedly felt across North Island.

The magnitude 7.1 temblor struck around 100 kilometers (62 miles) northeast of the East Cape settlement of Te Araroa at a depth of 55 kilometers at 4.37 a.m. (1637GMT Thursday), according to the New Zealand Herald.

It reported that Civil Defense authorities were reviewing a tsunami warning, and a wave measuring 21 centimeters in height had been detected.

According to the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center, however, there is no tsunami threat.

The temblor struck a day after a magnitude 5.8 quake hit the area.

There were no immediate reports of causalities or damage and the Fire Service central communications center was cited as saying it had not received any emergency calls.