Magnitude 6.8 Massive earthquake hits New Zealand

A massive earthquake of magnitude 6.8 sent tremors off the coast of Riverton in New Zealand on Tuesday, said the United States Geological Survey.

The quake, which initially was recorded at 7 magnitude, struck at a depth of 10 kilometres (6.2 miles) off the southwest tip of the South Island, the USGS said. So far, no tsunami warning has been issued for the region.

As per the USGS website, there have been green alerts for shaking-related fatalities and economic losses, as per which it has concluded that there are low chances of casualties and damage.

Further, it said that the population residing in the quake-hit region live in structures that are highly resistant to earthquakes, with an exception of some vulnerable structures.

Meanwhile, New Zealand's emergency management agency said that it was "assessing whether the earthquake has created a tsunami that could affect" the country.