Earthquake of 6.9 magnitude hits remote New Zealand islands, no tsunami warning

A strong 6.9 magnitude earthquake struck New Zealand's remote the Kermadec Islands on Wednesday but authorities said there was no tsunami threat.

The quake struck at 4.19pm at a depth of 111 kilometers, with its epicenter 770 kilometers northeast of Auckland, the US Geological Survey said.

"Based on all available data, there is no tsunami threat from this earthquake," the Hawaii-based Pacific Tsunami Warning Center said.

The uninhabited Kermadecs is New Zealand's northernmost islands.

They are part of the Pacific Ring of Fire, a hotbed of volcanic and earthquake activity at the intersection of several tectonic plates.