Strong earthquake strikes off NZ

A magnitude 6.6 earthquake has struck south of New Zealand's South Island.

A strong earthquake has struck off New Zealand's coast, but there are no initial reports of serious damage or injuries and no tsunami is expected.

The US Geological Survey says the magnitude-6.6 quake struck 198 kilometres northwest of Auckland Island. The quake was shallow, with a depth of only 10 kilometres.

The Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre said a tsunami was not expected.

New Zealand sits on the "Ring of Fire," an arc of seismic faults around the Pacific Ocean where earthquakes are common. An earthquake in Christchurch in 2011 killed 185 people and destroyed thousands of homes and buildings.

AP