Twin M7-class quakes hit off New Zealand

 Twin M7-class quakes hit off New Zealand

Two powerful earthquakes with magnitudes over 7.0 hit off New Zealand on Friday morning local time, triggering a small tsunami on the island country, the U.S. Geological Survey and local authorities said.

There were no immediate reports of injuries or serious damage as a result of the temblors. Following the first quake, which struck with a magnitude of 7.3 at 2:27 a.m., a tsunami of 28 centimeters was observed at the North Island, the Hawaii-based Pacific Tsunami Warning Center said.

The USGS upgraded the magnitude of the temblor, which occurred 178 kilometers northeast of the North Island at a depth of 10km, to 7.3 from an initial estimate of 6.9.

At 6:41 a.m., the second quake hit with a magnitude of 7.4 off the Kermadec Islands of New Zealand at a depth of 56 km.

The Japan Meteorological Agency said the two quakes will not cause a tsunami affecting the country.

UPDATE:  3 powerful M7.3, M7.4 and M6.1 earthquakes hit New Zealand and Vanuatu within 4 hours