Residents of a small community on the east coast of New Zealand’s North Island have been asked to evacuate after a severe natural disaster at sea.
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The quake was felt as far south as Akaroa – about halfway down the South Island – and as far north as Kerikeri, about 150 miles north of Auckland.
The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center has not issued a Pacific-wide warning, but a “very small” tsunami hit the northern coast of New Zealand, USGS geophysicist John Bellini said.
It reported that Civil Defense authorities were reviewing a tsunami warning, and a wave measuring 21 centimeters in height had been detected.
New Zealand’s Civil Defence said on Twitter there was a “potential tsunami threat” and warned people in coastal areas to “stay out of the water. off beaches and shore”.
The quake was at a depth of 55 kilometres and has been followed by a flurry of aftershocks, the largest being 6.2.
USGS initially reported the quake to be 7.2 but downgraded it to 7.1.
People are being advised to take their radios and pets with them if possible.
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The quake happened just after 5.30pm British time.
