7.2 Magnitude Quake Rocks New Zealand

There were no immediate reports of damage or injuries, and the USGS did not immediately warn of the threat of tsunamis.

The quake hit at 4.35am local time just 20 miles (30 km) northwest of Christchurch, on New Zealand's South Island. Christchurch is New Zealand's second-largest city with a population of about 342,000 people. New Zealand's National Radio reports the temblor shook thousands of residents awake.

"No destructive widespread tsunami threat exists based on historical earthquake and tsunami data," the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center said.

Although the nearby population tends to live in quake-susceptible structures, the last two major earthquakes did not result in any casualties, the USGS said. A magnitude 6.1 earthquake struck Cape Campbell, New Zealand, on January 18, 1977, and a magnitude 6.1 temblor hit Cass, New Zealand, on November 24, 1995