TSUNAMI WARNING ISSUED after earthquake measuring 7.4 whacks New Zealand

[link to news.sky.com]



An earthquake measuring 7.4 magnitude has hit northeast of Christchurch, New Zealand, the US Geological Survey reports.

The USGS says that the centre of the quake was on land, 57 miles (91km) from the city which was badly damaged by one that measured 6.3 in 2011.

The initial tremor was followed by several aftershocks, further north and also both inland - including a 6.2 magnitude about 20 miles (28km) northwest of Kaikoura and a 5.7 south-southeast of Bleinheim.