Wellington: A strong 6.7 magnitude earthquake struck off New Zealand’s South Island on Tuesday, authorities said, prompting the country’s disaster agency to assess potential tsunami threats. The quake has raised concerns among residents and officials who are closely monitoring the situation.
According to Emirates News Agency, residents of the Southland and Fiordland regions have been advised to stay away from beaches and marine areas due to potentially dangerous strong and unusual currents. The National Emergency Management Agency issued this warning as a precautionary measure while evaluating the possible risks associated with the seismic event.
The United States Geological Survey reported that the earthquake, initially recorded at a magnitude of 7, was downgraded to 6.7 and occurred at a depth of approximately 10 km (6 miles). This depth indicates a relatively shallow earthquake, which can often result in more significant surface shaking.
Australia’s national weather bureau has confirmed that there is no
tsunami threat to the Australian mainland, its islands, or territories. The bureau’s assessment provides some reassurance to regions across the Tasman Sea, as they continue to monitor developments in New Zealand.
