An earthquake measuring 5.6 on the Richter scale occurred near Taopo, the North Island of New Zealand, early today, but no damages were reported.

GNS Science said the quake, occurred at 7:03 a.m. local time Saturday (18:03 GMT Friday), was centered 80 km below the surface of Lake Taupo and was felt across much of the central North Island.

An earlier quake measuring 5.5 on the Richter scale occurred on Thursday. It was located 10 km northwest of Turangi at a depth of 120 km.

Earthquakes near Taupo in the last few days were nothing out of the ordinary and their depth should have prevented damage, GNS Science said.

A 6.8 magnitude earthquake struck the Gisborne region in North Island on Dec. 20, and caused damages.