Powerful third quake prompts New Zealand tsunami warning

UPDATE: New Zealand downgrades tsunami warning after earthquakes

 

A magnitude 8 earthquake struck off the northeastern coast of New Zealand early on Friday, the National Emergency Management Authority (NEMA) said, triggering tsunami warnings.

The powerful quake, which hit just before 9 a.m. local time (2000 GMT Thursday) off the Kermadec Islands (1,000 km/621 miles northeast of New Zealand), followed earlier 7.4 and 7.2-magnitude quakes.

People in Northland, the East Cape and on Great Barrier Island, as well as anyone near coast from the Bay of Islands to Whangarei, from Matata to Tolaga Bay, must "move immediately" to higher ground or as far inland as possible, NEMA said.  

The authority said it "expected strong and unusual currents and unpredictable surges" at the shore.

"Strong currents and surges can injure and drown people. There is a danger to swimmers, surfers, people fishing, small boats and anyone in or near the water close to shore," NEMA said in a statement.

There were no immediate reports of serious damage or casualties.

People escape to higher ground

Hundreds of residents, workers, and students are fleeing to higher ground. Local authorities have advised people to walk or bike to avoid traffic congestion, as already seen in towns such as Whangerei. 

The tsunami threat level for the South Island coastline is still being assessed.

As a precaution, people should consider staying away from beaches or going on a boat, the Marlborough District Council said.

Tsunami warnings across the Pacific

The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center (PTWC) issued tsunami threats for large parts of the Pacific, including the Cook Islands, Fiji, New Caledonia, Niue, Pitcairn Islands, Solomon Islands, Tonga,Vanuatu, Wallis and Futuna and some coasts of American Samoa. 

The agency said its assessing whether the New Zealand quake poses a threat to Hawaii. 

'A long or strong quake'

 PTWC had withdrawn an earlier tsunami  warning after the first quake, saying the threat had passed, but authorities renewed the warning following the second and third quakes.

The first quake struck at a depth at 20 kilometers (13 miles), about 174 kilometers (108 miles) northeast of the city of Gisborne, according to the US Geological Survey. 

Following the quake, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern posted on Instagram: "Hope everyone is ok out there, especially on the East Coast who would have felt the full force of that earthquake."

Christchurch remembered

New Zealand sits on the Pacific "Ring of Fire", where tectonic plates collide and experiences frequent seismic activity.

In 2011, a 6.3 magnitude earthquake struck Christchurch, killing 185 people and destroying much of the city's downtown.

Just two weeks ago, New Zealand marked the 10th anniversary of the disaster, with Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern leading a tribute to honor the 185 victims.

mvb, jsi/nm (Reuters, dpa, AP,AFP)