7.4 Magnitude Earthquake Hits New Zealand

BREAKING: The U.S. Geological Survey said a strong earthquake of 7.4 magnitude hit New Zealand, just four southeast of Christchurch, in the middle of the night local time.

There were no immediate tsunami warnings. USGS earlier said the quake measured 7.3 magnitude.

The center of the quake was 41 miles deep. Christchurch is located on the east coast of the South Island and is New Zealand's second-largest city with a population of about 342,000 people.