An earthquake measuring 6.2 on the Richter scale hit the South Island region of New Zealand today.

According to the U.S. Geological Survey, USGS, the new quake was centred 120 km northeast of the city of Christchurch and at a depth of 10 km.

A magnitude 7.8 earthquake struck New Zealand yesterday and a series of aftershocks killed two people and damaged buildings along the eastern coast of the South Island. It was followed by tsunami warnings that forced thousands to flee to higher ground.