Major quake strikes off N.Zealand's Kermadec Islands: USGS

A major 7.2-magnitude quake struck off New Zealand's Kermadec Islands early today, the US Geological Survey said, but the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center said there was no widespread tsunami threat.

The earthquake struck at 7:19 am (1919 GMT today) and occurred 73 kilometres southeast of Raoul Island, USGS said. The epicentre was at a depth of 30 kilometres.