Powerful quake strikes New Zealand

A powerful earthquake struck New Zealand's South Island on Nov. 13.

The U.S. Geological Survey said the magnitude-7.8 quake hit just after midnight, some 95 kilometers (59 miles) from Christchurch.

The Civil Defense Ministry has warned people on the east coast of the South Island including the capital Wellington to move to higher ground after they issued a tsunami warning.

Early reports suggest some houses in Cheviot town, near the epicenter, have been damaged.

Christchurch is still recovering from the 2011 earthquake that killed 185 people and destroyed the city center.

New Zealand lies on the notorious Ring of Fire, the line of frequent earthquakes and volcanic eruptions that circles virtually the entire Pacific rim.

In September, a magnitude-7.1 earthquake struck 169 kilometers (105 miles) northeast of Gisborne on the North Island, that sparked a tsunami warning. It caused some damage to property, but no injuries were reported.

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