A powerful 7.4-magnitude earthquake rocked New Zealand’s South Island on Sunday, according to the US Geological Survey.
The quake’s epicenter was about 50 km (31 miles) northwest of Christchurch city, which was devastated by a 2011 temblor.
Sunday’s quake struck at a depth of 10 kilometers (6.2 miles), the USGS said, shallow enough for the tremor to be felt significantly at the earth’s surface.
No tsunami warning has been issued.
Christchurch has a population of over 340,000 people, according to the most recent government census.
On February 22, 2011, the city was hit by a 6.3-magnitude earthquake, which killed 185 people and injured thousands.
