A strong earthquake struck New Zealand’s South Island on Thursday night, prompting authorities to issue a temporary tsunami warning before later lifting the alert after determining there was no significant tsunami threat.
The German Research Centre for Geosciences (GFZ) initially reported the earthquake at a magnitude of 5.6 and a depth of about 10 kilometres. New Zealand’s GeoNet and emergency authorities said the tremor was widely felt across the South Island, particularly around Te Anau, Southland and Otago.
The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) initially warned residents in parts of the southwest coast to stay away from beaches and shorelines because of the risk of dangerous currents and unpredictable surges. The agency later cancelled the tsunami warning after further assessments showed there was no threat of widespread coastal inundation.
Thousands of people reported feeling the earthquake, with residents describing strong shaking that lasted several seconds. Authorities said there were no immediate reports of deaths or serious injuries, although inspections were carried out on roads, bridges and other infrastructure as a precaution.
New Zealand sits on the Pacific Ring of Fire, one of the world’s most seismically active regions, where earthquakes and volcanic activity occur frequently due to the movement of tectonic plates. Emergency officials reminded residents to remain prepared for aftershocks and to follow official safety guidance during seismic events.
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