Powerful aftershocks continue to jolt New Zealand’s North Island

Earthquakes continued to shake the North Island in New Zealand on Saturday. The US Geological Survey recorded a 6.4-magnitude shock the day after a Pacific-wide tsunami alert sparked concerns in the country, reported AFP.

Although there have been no reports of serious damage or injury from the tremors, nor from a host of smaller quakes, which were centred offshore from the eastern city of Gisborne.

On Friday, an 8.1-magnitude quake, which followed earlier tremors of 7.4 and 6.9 near the remote Kermadec Islands, triggered tsunami warnings for several South Pacific islands although the waves did not reach the predicted three metres (11 feet). 

New Zealand sits on the Pacific “Ring of Fire”, where tectonic plates collide and experiences frequent seismic and volcanic activity.

The South Pacific nation recently marked the 10th anniversary of the Christchurch earthquake, when a 6.3 tremor resulted in 185 deaths in the South Island city.