29 Apr 2021 | 04:32 AM UTC
New Zealand: Magnitude-5.4 earthquake strikes offshore, northeast of Gisborne, North Island, April 29
Magnitude-5.4 earthquake strikes in the Pacific Ocean, northeast of Gisborne, New Zealand, at 15:58 April 29. No tsunami warning issued.
Event
A magnitude-5.4 earthquake struck in the Pacific Ocean, northeast New Zealand's North Island, at 15:58 April 29. The epicenter was about 169 km (105 miles) northeast of Gisborne. The tremor occurred at a depth of about 10 km (6 miles) and produced strong-to-moderate shaking in the Bay of Plenty and Gisborne areas. Reports indicate that weak-to-light shaking occurred throughout much of North Island, including Wellington and Auckland. There have been no initial reports of damage or casualties because of the earthquake. It could take several hours until authorities can conduct comprehensive damage assessments, especially in remote areas. Light aftershocks are likely over the coming days. The event did not prompt a tsunami advisory.
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 no damage is found. Utility outages are possible, particularly near the earthquake's epicenter.
Advice
Plan accordingly for aftershocks. Out of an abundance of caution consider vacating multistory buildings if operating in affected areas until authorities confirm their structural integrity. Allow additional time for air and road travel, as aftershocks may prompt brief disruptions. Seek updated information on road conditions before driving in hilly areas in the affected region due to potential landslides.
