New Zealand: Magnitude-6.0 earthquake strikes offshore, northeast of Gisborne, North Island, April 5

Event

A magnitude-6.0 earthquake struck in the Pacific Ocean, northeast New Zealand's North Island, at 19:37 April 5. The epicenter was about 193 km (120 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 and parts of northern South Island. 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.