Quake measuring 6.3 strikes NZ's north island

SYDNEY, Jan 20 (Reuters) - An earthquake measuring 6.3 magnitude struck New Zealand's north island on Monday, 63 km (40 miles) southeast of the town of Palmerston, the U.S. Geological Society said.

The quake, at a depth of 29 km (18 miles), hit at 02.52 GMT.

(Reporting by Michael Perry)

((michael.perry@thomsonreuters.com; +61 9373 1804; Reuters Messaging: michael.perry.reuters.com@reuters.net))

Keywords: QUAKE NEWZEALAND/