AUCKLAND, New Zealand, Dec. 10 (Xinhua) -- An earthquake of 5.3 magnitude on Tuesday rattled the Gisborne area, about 100 km south away from White Island eruption.
Geological Hazard Information for New Zealand mentioned the earthquake was unrelated to the White Island eruption. Police said there no reports of injuries or damages related to the earthquake so far.
The quake struck about 20 km south of Gisborne around 1 p.m. local time, hitting at a depth of 29 km. It was widely felt in Whakatane.
It could also have been felt in Cambridge, Dannevirke, Gisborne, Hunterville, Hastings, Rotorua, Taupo, Tauranga, Wellington, Whakatane, and other areas.
Gisborne Mayor Rehette Stoltz said "It was a generous shake, some shops had reported stock falling off the shelves, and some traffic jams."
