Quake measuring 6.1 north of New Zealand - USGS

Sat Nov 28, 2009 6:00am EST

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SINGAPORE, Nov 28 (Reuters) - A strong earthquake measuring 6.1 was measured near an uninhabited island north of New Zealand on Saturday, the United States Geological Survey said.

The quake was recorded at a depth of 10 km (6 miles) about 80 km (50 miles) east of Raoul Island, the largest of the Kermadec group, north of New Zealand.

There were no immediate reports of injury or damage and no tsunami warnings were issued.

Volcanic arcs and oceanic trenches partly encircling the Pacific Basin form the so-called Ring of Fire, a zone of frequent earthquakes and volcanic eruptions.

It is the location of the 10 strongest earthquakes in the world since 1900, all of which registered a magnitude of 8.5 or above.

(Editing by Paul Tait) ((paul.tait@reuters.com; Reuters Messaging: paul.tait.reuters.com@reuters.net; +65 6870 3815)) (If you have a query or comment about this story, send an e-mail to news.feedback.asia@thomsonreuters.com)

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