Powerful 7.1 magnitude quake jolts New Zealand: USGS

The shallow tremor was estimated at a depth of around 30 kilometres off the coast of the country's north island

WELLINGTON, NEW ZEALAND: A powerful 7.1 magnitude earthquake rocked New Zealand early Friday, the US Geological Survey said, but no tsunami warning was issued.

The shallow tremor was estimated at a depth of around 30 kilometres (18 miles) off the coast of the country's north island, some 167 kilometres from Gisborne, according to the agency.

Prelim M5.7 earthquake off the east coast of the North Island of New Zealand Sep-1 17:01 UTC, updates https://t.co/LDoDFfOTfv

— USGS Earthquakes (@USGS_Quakes) September 1, 2016

However, the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center did not issue a warning following the quake and there were no immediate reports of causalities.

New Zealand is on the boundary of the Australian and Pacific tectonic plates, which form part of the so-called "Ring of Fire", and experiences up to 15,000 tremors a year.