Kermadec Islands Region Struck By Magnitude 6.4 Earthquake

A magnitude 6.4 earthquake has struck Kermadec Islands region north of New Zealand and this is coming from the United States Geological Survey (USGS).

The quake, which was revised from an initial magnitude of 6.6, was at a depth of 10 km (6.21 miles), the USGS said.

The U.S. tsunami warning system said the earthquake is not expected to generate a tsunami.

The Kermadec Islands are a subtropical island arc in the South Pacific Ocean 800–1,000 km (500–620 mi) northeast of New Zealand’s North Island, and a similar distance southwest of Tonga.

The islands are part of New Zealand, 33.6 km2 in total area and uninhabited, except for the permanently manned Raoul Island Station, the northernmost outpost of New Zealand.

They are an immediate part of New Zealand, but not part of any region or district, but instead an Area Outside Territorial Authority.

The climate of the islands is subtropical, with a mean monthly temperature of 22.4 °C in February and 16.0 °C in August.

Rainfall is approximately 1,500 mm (60 in) annually, with lower rainfall from October to January.