WELLINGTON, Mar 5 (NNN-AGENCIES) – A 7.1-magnitude earthquake followed by a stronger 7.4-magnitude quake, rattled off the North Island of New Zealand, causing “severe” shaking and sparking tsunami warnings, GeoNet NZ said today.
No casualties have been reported, so far.
The first quake, which occurred at 2:27 a.m. local time, about 95 km east of Te Araroa, is defined as “terrifying” and “biggest one ever felt” by locals, causing severe tremors throughout much of the country.
Land and marine warnings triggered by the earthquake have been lifted and people have been told they may return to their homes.
Trains were halted and lines across eastern parts of the North Island were closed, ahead of track inspection for possible quake damage.
Later, another 7.4-magnitude earthquake struck at 6:41 a.m. local time, off Raoul Island, the largest and northernmost of the Kermadec Islands.
Raoul Island, also called Sunday Island, 1,100 km north-east of New Zealand’s North Island, has been the source of vigorous volcanic activity during the past years that was dominated by dacitic explosive eruptions.– NNN-AGENCIES
