Wellington: A massive tremor rocked southern New Zealand early on August 22, according to sources.

The earthquake measuring 7.1 on the Richter scale rattled buildings and houses but caused no injuries or major damage in the sparsely populated region.

An eyewitness said her house shook "like grass in the wind" as the powerful quake rattled South Island's Fiordland, known for its farming and tourism.

The quake's epicentre was said to be about 20 kms under the Earth's surface off the coast of Fiordland.

The quake hit at 12:12 a m on August 22 (17:42 hrs IST), the New Zealand Institute of Geological and Nuclear Sciences reported.

According to the sources, there were hundreds of aftershocks, one with a magnitude of 6.2 on the Richter scale.

Agencies