5.5-magnitude quake hits off North Island of New Zealand: USGS

NEW YORK, Oct. 9 (Xinhua) -- A 5.5-magnitude earthquake jolted east of the North Island of New Zealand at 20:22 GMT on Wednesday, the U.S. Geological Survey said.

The epicenter, with a depth of 10.0 km, was initially determined to be at 35.178 degrees south latitude and 179.3877 degrees west longitude.