Agence France-Presse

WELLINGTON - A strong 7.2 magnitude earthquake hit the South Island of New Zealand Saturday morning, according to the US Geological Survey.

The quake struck at a depth of 16.1 kilometers (10.0 miles) some 30 kilometers (19 miles) from the island's largest city of Christchurch at 04:05 am (1635 GMT Friday), the USGS said.

There was no widespread threat of a tsunami, according to the Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre.

But an earthquake of this magnitude could generate a local tsunami that could cause destruction within 100 kilometers (60 miles) of the epicentre, it said.

The magnitude was revised downwards from an initial estimate of 7.4, the USGS said.