A magnitude 7.1 quake rocked New Zealand’s northeastern coast, as residents are asked to evacuate following fears of tsunami and aftershocks.
Advertisement
A 6.8 magnitude natural disaster hit the Pacific island of Papua New Guinea yesterday, just 55 miles outside the town of Rabaul.
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.
A 7.1-magnitude natural disaster has struck off the east coast of New Zealand.
In 2010, a magnitude-7.1 quake struck the South Island city of Christchurch, causing widespread damage but no loss of life.
The evacuation order and tsunami warning were lifted a few hours later.
The quake was estimated at a depth of around 18 miles off the country’s north island, 352 miles northeast of Wellington, the US Geological Survey said.
“The Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre indicated that there was no tsunami threat in their initial assessment”.
While at this stage, the official MCDEM warning does not include Northland, Civil Defence locally was nonetheless urging a sensible, precautionary approach. ‘It was pretty severe shaking for a couple of minutes.
One Harris Street resident said they experienced “very quiet rattling”, and then “slow-like rolling” sensations that lasted for about five to 10 seconds. However, some areas where historical amplification of tsunami waves has been recorded, may experience larger waves.
Seriously New Zealand – this is life or death stuff. They would much rather be safe than sorry.
However, there are no immediate reports of serious damage, reports BBC. The agency also ordered residents of coastal areas to move to a higher ground and keep away from beaches, streams and estuaries. Fire is a significant hazard following earthquakes.
New Zealand has been on high alert since a massive quake flattened Christchurch in 2011.
Advertisement
“Based on all available data, the greatest tsunami activity has now passed”, it said.
