Strong earthquake recorded deep under South Pacific ocean*

10/16/2007 19:44     Source: AP ©    

A magnitude 6.4 earthquake stroke deep under the South Pacific ocean
between Fiji and New Zealand Wednesday, but no after effects were
reported by authorities.

The U.S. Geological Survey reported the temblor, some 476 kilometers
(298 miles) below the earth's surface, hit at 7:05 a.m. local time (2105
GMT Tuesday), about 830 kilometers (516 miles) from both Suva in Fiji
and Auckland, New Zealand's biggest city.

No tsunami warning or watch bulletin was issued by the Pacific Tsunami
Warning Center in Hawaii following the quake, the agency said on its web
site. It reported the quake as magnitude 6.6 and some 411 kilometers
(255 miles) below the surface.

New Zealand geological agency, GNS Science, reported the quake south of
Fiji was felt in lower North Island, and registered a 6.5 magnitude reading.

Emergency services reported no injuries or damage and no immediate calls
reporting the quake.

Meanwhile, after shocks continued to shake southern New Zealand after a
magnitude 6.7 quake hit off South Island's west coast early Tuesday.

Dozens of after shocks ranging up to magnitude 6.1 have hit the region
of mainly farmland and national forest parks.

Some small landslips have been recorded, authorities said, but there
have been no reports of serious damage or injury.

The initial magnitude 6.7 quake was the biggest in New Zealand since a
magnitude 7.2 tremor struck off the same western South Island coast on
Aug. 22, 2003.

GNS Science seismologist Bryan Field said six seismometers had been
installed in the region to enable a close study of the after shocks.