New Zealand Earthquake Triggers Tsunami Warning

UPDATE - 8:26AM EDT: The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center now reports that the tsunami generated following a 7.8-magnitude earthquake off of New Zealand is small and poses no threat.

The warning center reports that no destructive waves are moving toward New Zealand's coastline in the wake of a tsunami warning was issued earlier.

The waves generated are less than 8 inches in height and the warning was canceled after about an hour.

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A massive New Zealand earthquake measuring 7.8 on the Richter scale occurred off Southland, the country's lower South Island, on Wednesday night, local time.

The center of the earthquake was about 100 km northwest of Tuatapere and was about 12 km deep, the New Zealand Institute of Geological and Nuclear Science (GNS Science) announced.

The earthquake could be felt across Southland and Otago region. Locals have said that the quake lasted several minutes.

Later, a 6.1 magnitude aftershock hit about 20 minutes after the original earthquake.

The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center has issued a regional warning for a possible tsunami for regions in the vicinity of the earthquake.

Local residents have been advised to keep listening to the radio.