East Coast earthquake: Magnitude 5.7 quake strikes near Te Araroa
A magnitude 5.7 earthquake struck New Zealand's North Island near Te Araroa, followed by several aftershocks. Thousands of residents reported feeling the tremors, though no major damage was immediately reported.
Why it matters
The event highlights the ongoing seismic activity in New Zealand and serves as a reminder for public emergency preparedness.
A strong earthquake has struck the East Coast this evening. Photo / GeoNet
A strong earthquake has rattled the North Island’s East Coast this evening.
The preliminary magnitude 5.7 quake struck 10km south of Te Araroa at a depth of 40km, GeoNet said.
More than 5000 people reported feeling the quake after it struck at 8.35pm. GeoNet classified the shaking as strong.
Two aftershocks followed the main quake. A magnitude 3.0 tremor struck at 8.40pm, followed by a magnitude 3.1 aftershock at 9.07pm. Both were centred near Te Araroa at depths of about 36km to 38km.
Social media users reported feeling the quake across the eastern and central North Island, including Hawke’s Bay, Rotorua, Ōpōtiki, Ruatoria, Matatā and the Coromandel.
Residents in South Taranaki reported hearing a rumble before feeling the shaking, while others in Gisborne described it as a “gentle roll”.
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