Magnitude-4.5 Earthquake Hits Central New Zealand

(USGS)

A moderately strong earthquake struck central New Zealand on Sunday, Nov. 12.

According to the U.S. Geological Survey, the quake registered 4.5 on the Richter scale, hitting at a depth of 40.1 kilometers (24 miles).

(USGS)

It hit between North and South islands.

More than 11,000 people “felt it,” according to GeoNet, as reported by Stuff.co.nz.

(USGS)

It’s not clear if the quake caused any damage.

On social media users sounded off.

(USGS)

New Zealand is located on the Pacific “Ring of Fire” basin, lined with around 75 percent of the world’s total active volcanoes.

The Ring of Fire (Public Domain)

The Ring of Fire, home to more than 450 active and dormant volcanoes. (U.S. Geological Survey)

About 90 percent of the world’s earthquakes strike along the “Ring of Fire,” according to the USGS.