WELLINGTON;A powerful 6.7 magnitude earthquake hit the Kermadec Islands in the South Pacific on Saturday, but no tsunami warning was issued and the were no immediate reports of injury or damage.
The quake struck at 12:53 p.m. local time (0053GMT), some 168 miles (270 kilometers) southwest of Raoul Island at a depth of just six miles (10 kilometers), according to New Zealand geological agency GNS Science.
The islands are about 625 miles (1,000 kilometers) northeast of New Zealand.
The quake was felt in the Kermadecs and along parts of the east coast of New Zealand's North Island, the science agency said on its Web site.
The islands, prone to severe quakes, have no permanent population but New Zealand's Department of Conservation has 10 staff stationed on Raoul Island. Department communications manager Rory Newsam said while they felt the quake it did not cause any damage and was "no problem."
Earthquakes and volcanic activity are common in the region, which is part of the Pacific "Ring of Fire," with dozens of undersea volcanoes in the area.