A 5.2-MAGNITUDE earthquake struck 124 kilometres south-east of Townsville in Queensland yesterday afternoon. The quake reached a depth of 10 kilometres, the United States Geological Survey said.

A witness said he felt tremors in Townsville. Police received calls from as far as Airlie Beach, nearly 300 kilometres south. Townsville councillor Natalie Marr said there were no reports of damage.

New Zealand radio station NewstalkZB reported that a strong aftershock measuring magnitude 5.3 hit Christchurch last night. In February, Christchurch was hit by a 6.3-magnitude quake.