NZ Shakes: 5.9 Earthquake Rocks South Island, Tsunami Alert Lifted!
NZ Shakes: 5.9 Earthquake Rocks South Island, Tsunami Alert Lifted!
A powerful 5.9-magnitude earthquake jolted New Zealand's South Island, causing tremors and brief tsunami fears near the Fiordland hotspot. Residents evacuated, but no major damage reported. Stay updated on the aftermath!
New Zealand’s South Island experienced a significant jolt on Thursday evening as a magnitude-5.9 earthquake struck, prompting a brief tsunami warning and sending tremors across the region. The seismic event, initially assessed at 6.3 before being revised downwards, occurred around 9:14 pm local time.
The earthquake’s epicenter was located approximately 40km (25 miles) north of Te Anau, a town widely known as the gateway to the stunning Fiordland tourist hotspot. The strong shaking caused buildings to sway and encouraged many residents to move outdoors, seeking safety.
Authorities, including New Zealand's National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), quickly issued a tsunami alert. However, this warning was later lifted. While there were no immediate reports of injuries or significant damage, NEMA advised coastal areas to anticipate "strong and unusual currents and unpredictable surges at the shore." They cautioned people on boats, liveaboards, and at marinas to move ashore and not return until instructed by officials.
GeoNet, New Zealand's official geological hazard monitoring agency, reported that over 20,000 people had felt the earthquake. Witness accounts painted a vivid picture of the event. Maylene Puyat, a local resident working at Te Anau's Fiordland Hotel, described feeling the shaking for a full minute, noting it was "a bit strong" but that nothing inside the hotel had moved.
Another resident shared with the Otago Daily Times that the shaking was "long and loud," likening the sound to a train and adding that "the walls were definitely moving." In Invercargill, award-winning broadcaster Marcus Lush was live on air when the quake hit, pausing his show to acknowledge the unfolding event as his studio experienced the tremors.
Residents frequently described a loud rumble preceding the actual shaking, with one Invercargill resident recalling their "bed was shaking and the house was creaking" after hearing the rumbling before the main event began. Despite the unsettling experience, the primary focus remains on monitoring coastal conditions and ensuring public safety.
