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WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) -- A government-owned agency says a moderately strong earthquake has rocked New Zealand's southern region -- but there are no immediate reports of injury or damage.
Geological agency GNS Science says the magnitude 5.9 earthquake hit at about noon Saturday and was centered off the west coast of South Island.
It says the quake shook cities in the southern region only moderately because of its depth 60 miles below the Earth's surface.
New Zealand, which sits above an area where the Pacific and Australian tectonic plates are colliding, records more than 14,000 earthquakes a year. Only about 150 are felt by people and fewer than 10 per year do any damage.
Copyright 2008 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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