7.1-Magnitude Quake Jolts New Zealand, Tsunami Warning Issued  

Wellington: A tsunami warning was issued after an earthquake, measuring 7.1 on the Richter Scale, hit New Zealand’s North Island on Thursday.

The quake hit around 100 km northeast of the East Cape settlement of Te Araroa, at a depth of 55 km, The New Zealand Herald reported. A potential tsunami threat was upgraded to a warning by Civil Defence officials shortly after 6 a.m. (local time) after the quake hit at 4.37 a.m. “Tsunami activity will continue for several hours and the threat must be regarded as real until this warning is cancelled,” Civil Defence said in a statement.

The warning covers the East coast of the North Island, including Auckland, Waikato and Bay of Plenty and the upper South Island. The quake lasted for almost a minute and was felt across much of the North Island. The quake was followed by several moderate-sized aftershocks, including a 5.6-magnitude jolt at 5.01 a.m., and a 4.6-magnitude quake at 5.03 a.m.

No significant damage or injuries: The powerful 7.1 magnitude earthquake generated a small tsunami, but officials said there was no significant damage or injuries. A swarm of aftershocks, several of nearly 6.0 magnitude, rocked the region for many hours after the initial jolt as coastal residents made their way to high ground by torchlight. But less than three hours later they were advised they could return home after a 30-centimetre (one foot) tsunami was detected. The greatest wave height has already occurred, further waves are anticipated to be up to 20 centimetres, the Civil Defence organisation, which is responsible for national emergency management, said.

Regular drills: In New Zealand, where earthquakes are common, Civil Defence regularly holds practice drills for coastal residents so they know how to react in an emergency. Pat Seymour, a local council politician in the Gisborne area, told the New Zealand Herald the earthquake was quite vigorous. It was enough to make me stand in the doorway, she said, recalling what she had been taught. In Te Araroa, nearly the entire population of 600 left their homes for higher ground.

IANS, AFP