New Zealand Earthquake 2011: Tsunami Warning Issued Following 7.8 Magnitude Quake (UPDATE)

The Huffington Post Dean Praetorius First Posted: 07/6/11 03:35 PM ET Updated: 07/6/11 04:03 PM ET

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The U.S. Geological Survey is reporting a 7.8 magnitude earthquake off the coast of New Zealand, in the Kermadec Islands region.

Though the quake has apparently occurred at a depth of 29.8 miles.

A tsunami warning has been issued for New Zealand, the Kermadec Islands and Tonga.

UPDATE:

According to the AP, no tsunami warning was issued, despite earlier reports:

NEW YORK — A powerful magnitude-7.8 earthquake rattled New Zealand's remote Kermadec Islands in the Pacific Ocean, the U.S. Geological Survey reported.

The Kermadec Islands are a remote outpost that are generally uninhabited aside from a weather station and a hostel for visiting New Zealand scientists.

The 7:03 a.m. Thursday (1903 GMT Wednesday) quake was 29.8 miles (48 kilometers) deep, the USGS said. No tsunami alert was issued.

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