04 Mar 2021 | 06:18 PM UTC
New Zealand: Tsunami warning lifted following major earthquake off the coast of northeastern New Zealand early March 5 /update 2
Tsunami warning lifted following magnitude-7.3 earthquake in Pacific Ocean off the coast of northeastern New Zealand early March 5.
Event
Officials have lifted tsunami warnings for New Zealand, the Cook Islands, Fiji, Kermadec Islands, New Caledonia, Niue, Tonga, and Vanuatu that had been issued following a major offshore earthquake that occurred northeast of New Zealand's North Island at about 0227 NZDT March 5. Tsunami waves of up to 0.3 meters (1 foot) above the tide level were reported in parts of northeastern New Zealand. Authorities in New Zealand have told residents of affected coastal areas that they may now return to their homes. Officials have warned of strong and unusual currents in coastal waters.
The earthquake had a recorded magnitude of 7.3, slightly higher than the initially reported magnitude of 6.9, and occurred at a depth of about 21 km (13 miles). The epicenter was approximately 174 km (108 miles) northeast of Gisborne, New Zealand. Moderate-to-strong shaking was felt throughout the northeast North Island; weak-to-moderate shaking was probably felt across northern New Zealand. There have been no reports of major structural damage, though some damage may have been sustained in and around the North Island's East Cape. As of 0630, five aftershocks with a magnitude of 5.0 or higher have occurred. Additional aftershocks are highly likely over the coming days.
Officials may temporarily shut down transportation infrastructure in the tremor zone to check for damage. Minor disruptions could occur during shutdowns, but service will likely resume quickly if officials find no damage. Utility outages are possible near the earthquake's epicenter.
Advice
Follow official instructions. Avoid contact with water in coastal areas until authorities give an all-clear. Ensure the structural integrity of buildings in areas where strong shaking has occurred. Cellular networks may be overwhelmed; use text messaging if services are available. Due to the threat of landslides, seek updated information on road conditions before driving in hilly areas in the affected area.
