Magnitude 7.1 earthquake strikes Kermadec Islands in New Zealand, USGS says

Baku, March 16, AZERTAC

An earthquake of 7.1 magnitude struck the Kermadec Islands region in New Zealand on Thursday, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) said, according to the Japan Times.

The quake was estimated at a depth of 10 km the USGS added. A tsunami warning was issued after the quake, the U.S. Tsunami Warning System said.

There is a possibility of a destructive local tsunami near the epicenter, but the earthquake poses no tsunami risk to Japan, the Japan Meteorological Agency said.