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dpa
Wellington
A powerful earthquake measured at a magnitude of over 7 has struck off the east coast of New Zealand’s North Island, shaking residents as far away as Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch.
A tsunami warning issued for an area of 300 kilometres around the epicentre was lifted several hours later. There were no immediate reports of injuries or significant damage.
The quake, at a depth of 20 kilometres according to the US Geological Survey, hit in the early hours of Friday, at 2:27 am (1327 GMT Thursday).
The USGS said the earthquake had a magnitude of 7.3, while the local GeoNet monitoring centre put the quake at 7.1, at a depth of 90 kilometres.
The main quake was
followed by several aftershocks measuring about 5 in magnitude.
“Anyone near the coast who felt a LONG or STRONG quake should MOVE IMMEDIATELY to the nearest high ground, or as far inland as you can,” the disaster management agency had tweeted before the tsunami warning was lifted.
Radio New Zealand reported that hundreds of people in various areas had moved to higher ground. In February, New Zealand marked 10
years since a major Christchurch earthquake that left 185 people dead.
Wellington
A powerful earthquake measured at a magnitude of over 7 has struck off the east coast of New Zealand’s North Island, shaking residents as far away as Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch.
A tsunami warning issued for an area of 300 kilometres around the epicentre was lifted several hours later. There were no immediate reports of injuries or significant damage.
The quake, at a depth of 20 kilometres according to the US Geological Survey, hit in the early hours of Friday, at 2:27 am (1327 GMT Thursday).
The USGS said the earthquake had a magnitude of 7.3, while the local GeoNet monitoring centre put the quake at 7.1, at a depth of 90 kilometres.
The main quake was
followed by several aftershocks measuring about 5 in magnitude.
“Anyone near the coast who felt a LONG or STRONG quake should MOVE IMMEDIATELY to the nearest high ground, or as far inland as you can,” the disaster management agency had tweeted before the tsunami warning was lifted.
Radio New Zealand reported that hundreds of people in various areas had moved to higher ground. In February, New Zealand marked 10
years since a major Christchurch earthquake that left 185 people dead.
