RAOUL ISLAND (BNO NEWS) -- A powerful earthquake struck off the Kermadec Islands in the South Pacific Ocean on early Saturday morning, seismologists said, generating a small tsunami but causing no damage.

The 7.4-magnitude earthquake at 5.57 a.m. local time (1757 GMT Friday) was centered about 169 kilometers (105 miles) east of Raoul Island, which is part of the Kermadec Islands. It struck about 32.9 kilometers (20.4 miles) deep, making it a shallow earthquake, according to the United States Geological Survey (USGS).

As a result of the powerful earthquake, the New Zealand Ministry of Civil Defense and Emergency Management issued a tsunami advisory, warning people in coastal areas to stay away from beaches. The advisory, which also prompted New Zealand to activate its National Crisis Management Center, was later canceled after experts determined there was no threat to New Zealand.

The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center said sea level readings indicated a small tsunami was generated, but there were no reports of damage or casualties. The largest tsunami wave, approximately 0.17 meter (0.6 feet) above normal sea levels, was recorded at Fishing Rock on Raoul Island.

Saturday's earthquake was the fifth most powerful earthquake so far this year.

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