New Zealand hit by strong 6.1 magnitude earthquake just hours after Mexico City disaster

Tremors recorded 140 miles west of sub-Antarctic Auckland Island, according to US Geological Survey

Michael Perry,Lydia Smith
Wednesday 20 September 2017 06:33 BST
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The location of the 6.1 earthquake and two other tremors near New Zealand
The location of the 6.1 earthquake and two other tremors near New Zealand

An undersea earthquake with a magnitude of 6.1 struck in the remote Southern Ocean south of New Zealand on Wednesday, the US Geological Survey (USGS) said.

The quake, at a shallow depth of 10 km (6 miles), was recorded 211 km (140 miles) west of the sub-Antarctic Auckland Island, off New Zealand's South Island, the USGS said.

There were no tsunami warnings issued immediately after the quake.

Central Mexico rocked by 7.1 magnitude earthquake

The quake was felt strongly in the capital Wellington but no damage to buildings has been reported.

Train services were briefly disrupted in the area.

Two smaller quakes — a 4.7 and 5.0 magnitude — were also recorded off the New Zealand coast.

New Zealand is prone to earthquakes as the country is situated on the boundary of two major tectonic plates, the Pacific and Australian plates.

The news comes just hours after a powerful 7.1 earthquake struck Mexico City, toppling dozens of buildings and killing more than 200 people.

The quake hit while people were taking part in an earthquake drill, exactly 32 years after a major tremor killed thousands in the city.

President Enrique Peña Nieto confirmed more than 20 children had died and dozens were missing after a school collapsed.

Reuters

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