The quake, which hit 19 miles (30 kilometers) west of the southern city of Christchurch, shook a wide area with initial radio reports saying items were tossed from store shelves and roof tiles cracked by the strong temblor. [break]
Geological agency GNS Science says the earthquake was 21 miles (33 kilometers) below the earth´s surface.
New Zealand´s National Radio reports the temblor hit at 4:35 a.m. shaking thousands of residents awake. There are no immediate reports of serious damage.
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2 strong quakes strike New Zealand; no reports of damage
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