EPICENTRE: The earthquake was just 258 miles away from mainland New Zealand
© USGSEPICENTRE: The earthquake was just 258 miles away from mainland New Zealand
A 6.2 magnitude earthquake has hit the Auckland Islands off the south coast of New Zealand, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.

Earthquakes 6.0 to 6.9 can cause a lot of damage in very populated areas. News of this earthquake comes just days after a 6.4 magnitude earthquake killed at least 11 people in Taiwan.

The epicentre of the quake is said to have been just 258 miles away from mainland New Zealand.

The earthquake follows a 5.7 magnitude quake hit Christchurch yesterday, causing cliffs to collapse.

The U.S. Geological Survey says the quake struck shortly before 1930 GMT on Monday and was centered 136 miles northwest of Auckland Island. It was at a depth of 6.2 miles.

There was no immediate tsunami alert from the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center.

Minutes later, reports emerged that another earthquake hit Zacharo Town along Greece's west coast.

Both earthquakes occurred just days before the anniversary of a deadly one in 2011.

That destroyed the city centre and killed 185 people.

New Zealand lies on the notorious Ring of Fire, the line of frequent quakes and volcanic eruptions that circles virtually the entire Pacific rim.