7.0 quake hits Kermadec Islands

A 7.0-magnitude earthquake has struck the Kermadec islands north of New Zealand, the fourth significant quake in the area in the past three months.

The epicentre of the quake, recorded at 7.24pm, was 217km from Raoul Island - where the Department of Conservation maintains a field station - and at a depth of 35km, the US Geological Survey said.

AFP quoted the Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre as saying a "destructive Pacific-wide tsunami is not expected."

In the past three months, tremors of 7.3, 6.5 and 6.0 have been recorded in the area, 1000km north of New Zealand.

DOC's Raoul Island field station is the only human habitation in the Kermadecs.

Two years ago, a conservation worker was killed on Raoul Island when he was caught in a mudflow after a volcano erupted during an earthquake swarm.

- © Fairfax NZ News