WELLINGTON: A robust 6.7-magnitude earthquake struck off New Zealand’s South Island on Tuesday (Mar 25), authorities mentioned, because the nation’s catastrophe company assessed if there have been any tsunami threats.
The tremor hit at 2.43pm native time (9.43am Singapore time) at a depth of 10km off the southwest tip of South Island, in keeping with the USGS.
Authorities seismic monitor Geonet reported the quake at a depth of 33km about 160km north-west of Snares Islands.
Greater than 4,700 individuals felt the temblor, mentioned Geonet, as New Zealand media reported gadgets falling and buildings swaying.
Centred round 160km from mainland settlement Riverton, it was initially recorded as a 7-magnitude jolt earlier than it was downgraded.
Residents of the Southland and Fiordland areas ought to avoid seashores and marine areas as robust and weird currents could current a hazard, the Nationwide Emergency Administration Company mentioned.
The company mentioned in an replace that at about 5pm native time, coastal areas are anticipated to expertise “robust and weird currents and unpredictable surges on the shore”.
It suggested individuals in coastal areas to maneuver out of water and keep off seashores and shore areas.
“There isn’t a must evacuate different areas except instantly suggested by native civil defence authorities,” it mentioned, including that no flooding of the land areas close to the shore is anticipated.
“Robust and weird currents and unpredictable surges will proceed for a number of hours and the risk should be considered actual till this advisory is cancelled.”
“We had issues fall off shelf. The out of doors wood desk dancing,” a person posted on Fb, in keeping with the New Zealand Herald newspaper.
Ben Sievwright, supervisor of Ziff’s Cafe and Bar in Invercargill on the South Island, mentioned he felt “slightly sway”.
“Just a bit wee shake, nothing too eventful,” he informed AFP.
Rose Ivory, proprietor of La Riviera Guesthouse in Riverton, mentioned her “entire automotive was rocking and rolling”.
“That was fairly a protracted one. Everybody was fairly calm about the entire thing. I went into the grocery procuring, yeah, nobody appeared to be too bothered about it.”
Australia’s nationwide climate bureau mentioned there was no tsunami risk to the mainland, islands or territories.
New Zealand straddles the boundary of two main tectonic plates and is rattled by 1000’s of small earthquakes yearly.
A magnitude 6.3 earthquake levelled swathes of Christchurch in 2011, killing 185 individuals, in keeping with authorities figures.
