Tsunami warning canceled after 7.8-magnitude earthquake hits off New Zealand

Tsunami warning canceled after New Zealand quake

WELLINGTON, New Zealand — The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center says a tsunami generated after a 7.8-magnitude earthquake off of New Zealand is small and poses no threat.

The warning center says no destructive waves are headed for New Zealand’s western coastline after a tsunami warning was issued earlier.

The waves generated are less than 8 inches (20 centimeters) in height and the warning was canceled after about an hour.

The quake’s epicenter was 100 miles (161 kilometers) west of Invercargill, off the west coast of New Zealand’s South Island at a depth of 21 miles (33 kilometers). It hit at 0922 GMT on Wednesday, the USGS said.