A massive earthquake of magnitude 6.8 sent tremors off the coast of Riverton in New Zealand. The United States Geological Survey (USGS) said that the quake struck at a depth of 10 kilometres (6.2 miles) off the southwest tip of the South Island. So far, no tsunami warning has been issued for the region. The USGS website also noted that there have been green alerts for shaking-related fatalities and economic losses in the region- indicating low chances of casualties and damage. The agency said that the the eastern margin of the Australia plate is one of the most seismically active areas of the world owing to the high rates of convergence between the Australia and Pacific plates.