Significant magnitude 6.9 Earthquake Strikes New Zealand, Tsunami warning issued

A 6.9-magnitude earthquake struck near Ruatoria, Gisborne District, Gisborne, New Zealand. The tremor was recorded early morning on Friday 5 March 2021 at 1:27 am local time, at an intermediate depth of 81.8 km below the surface.

There were no immediate reports of serious damage or casualties.

The U.S. Geological Survey said the quake measured magnitude 6.9. It said it was centered at a depth of 10 kilometers (six miles) under the ocean about 178 kilometers (111 miles) northeast of the city of Gisborne. Residents of Gisborne reported light to moderate shaking, it said.

A tsunami warning was issued after an earthquake with an initial magnitude of 7.3 struck east of New Zealand’s north island in the early hours of Friday, the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center (PTWC) said.

Tsunami waves were possible within 300 km of the quake’s epicentre, the PTWC said.