A strong new earthquake with a magnitude of 6.2 struck New Zealand's South Island on Monday, the U.S. Geological Survey said, hours after a more powerful quake killed two people and damaged buildings along the east coast of the South Island.

The latest quake was initially measured with a magnitude of 6.8. It struck at about 1.45 p.m. local time (0045 GMT) at a depth of 10 km (6 miles), about 120 km (75 miles) northeast of Christchurch, the USGS said.

Policemen and locals look at damage following an earthquake, along State Highway One near the town of Ward, south of Blenheim on New Zealand's South Island, November 14, 2016. Photo: Reuters/Anthony Phelps

A four-wheel-drive vehicle negotiates the damaged State Highway One near the town of Ward, south of Blenheim, following an earthquake on New Zealand's South Island, November 14, 2016. Photo: Reuters/Anthony Phelps