WELLINGTON, May 16 (Xinhua) -- A strong earthquake over 700 kilometers north-east of New Zealand has been felt widely throughout its north and south islands Tuesday night.

    There was no immediate report of damages, and the Pacific Tsunami Warning center in Hawaii did not issue a tsunami warning.

    The US Geological Survey (USGS) said the quake hit at 10:39 pm local time (1039 GMT) about 90 miles below the seabed, and was centered about 180 miles south-southwest of Raoul Island, which is 712 miles northeast of New Zealand's largest city, Auckland.

    Earthquakes in South Pacific are frequent, most of which lead to no damages. Enditem