WELLINGTON, New Zealand — An earthquake measuring 6.2 in magnitude struck off the west coast of New Zealand, according to agencies monitoring seismic activity. Despite the earthquake’s strength, authorities have not issued a tsunami warning.
The U.S. Geological Survey reported that the tremor occurred just after 1 a.m. local time. The epicenter was situated approximately 187 miles (300 kilometers) southwest of Invercargill, a city in New Zealand, at a depth of about six miles (10 kilometers) beneath the ocean surface.
New Zealand’s seismic monitors categorized the earthquake as moderate. As of the initial reports, no damage had been reported in the affected areas.
With around 5 million residents, New Zealand is located on the “Ring of Fire”—an area noted for its high seismic activity due to numerous tectonic plate boundaries surrounding the Pacific Ocean. This region is known for its frequent earthquakes and volcanic eruptions.