Strong Earthquake Strikes Off New Zealand’s South Island; No Tsunami Threat Reported

A strong earthquake with a magnitude of 6.7 to 6.8 struck off the coast of New Zealand‘s South Island on Tuesday, authorities reported. The United States Geological Survey initially recorded the quake at a magnitude of 7 before downgrading it. The earthquake occurred at a depth of about 10 kilometers, with its epicenter located approximately 160 kilometers northwest of the Snares Islands, the northernmost of New Zealand’s sub-antarctic islands.

The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) warned residents of the Southland and Fiordland regions to avoid beaches and marine areas, as strong and unusual currents could pose a danger.

More than 4,700 people reported feeling the tremors, with local media citing incidents of items falling from shelves and buildings swaying. “We had things fall off the shelf. The outdoor wooden table dancing,” a local resident posted on Facebook, according to the New Zealand Herald.

Despite initial concerns, Australia’s national weather bureau confirmed there was no tsunami threat to New Zealand’s mainland, islands, or territories.

Read more: Earthquake Tremors Felt in Swat and Surrounding Areas, Causing Panic Among Locals

New Zealand lies on the seismically active “Ring of Fire,” a 40,000-kilometer arc of volcanoes and ocean trenches encircling much of the Pacific Ocean. Authorities continue to assess any potential aftershocks.