A magnitude 6.8 earthquake struck off the coast of Riverton, New Zealand, at a depth of 10 km on Tuesday, initially recorded at 7 magnitude. The earthquake has prompted green alerts for potential shaking-related fatalities and economic losses, but low chances of casualties are predicted due to resilient local structures. No tsunami warning has been issued, though New Zealand’s emergency management is assessing the situation. The region is highly seismic, with historical earthquakes including the deadly 2011 Christchurch quake. The Australia-Pacific plate boundary makes New Zealand one of the world’s most active earthquake zones.
A powerful earthquake with a magnitude of 6.8 was felt off the coast of Riverton, New Zealand on Tuesday, according to the United States Geological Survey (USGS).
The earthquake, originally recorded as magnitude 7, hit at a depth of 10 kilometers (6.2 miles) near the southwest tip of New Zealand’s South Island, as stated by the USGS. As of now, there is no tsunami warning for the area.
According to the USGS website, green alerts have been issued for potential shaking-related fatalities and economic losses, suggesting that the likelihood of casualties and significant damage is low.
Additionally, it reported that the inhabitants of the affected area reside in buildings that are largely resistant to earthquakes, although there are some vulnerable structures.
Meanwhile, New Zealand’s emergency management agency is “evaluating whether the earthquake has triggered a tsunami that could impact” the country.
In a national statement, the agency noted, “If a tsunami has been generated in this location, it is unlikely to reach New Zealand for at least one hour.”
Previously, a 6.3 magnitude quake in Christchurch in 2011 resulted in the deaths of 185 individuals.
The USGS indicated that the eastern boundary of the Australia plate is among the most seismically active regions globally, due to the significant convergence rates between the Australia and Pacific plates.
In New Zealand, the 3000 km-long boundary between the Australia and Pacific plates runs from south of Macquarie Island to the southern Kermadec Islands.
Since 1900, around 15 earthquakes with magnitudes of 7.5 or more have been recorded near New Zealand, with the four largest occurring near the Macquarie Ridge, including the devastating 8.2 magnitude quake in 1989.
The highest earthquake recorded in New Zealand was the 7.8 magnitude Hawke’s Bay earthquake in 1931, which resulted in 256 fatalities.