A 6.0 magnitude earthquake shakes New Zealand's South Island

The earthquake, which struck at 09:14 AM, was initially registered as a 5.6 magnitude by the USGS but was later updated to 6.0 magnitude.

A 6.0 magnitude earthquake rattled New Zealand’s South Island on Wednesday, causing concern among residents.

The quake occurred at 09:14 AM (2114 GMT) and was initially measured at 5.6 magnitude by the US Geological Survey. However, New Zealand’s GeoNet monitoring service later revised it to 6.0.

Fortunately, there were no reports of injuries or significant damage. Over 14,000 people reported feeling the shallow tremor, which reached as far as Auckland in the North Island.

Rebecca Chapman, working at Cafe Verde in Geraldine, approximately 40 kilometers (25 miles) from the epicenter, described the event: “Nothing was broken, but the lights were shaking.” She added that it was a bit frightening, especially for a customer who had experienced the devastating Christchurch earthquake in February 2011, a 6.3 magnitude event that claimed 185 lives.

Sarah Hussey, a farmer near the epicenter, shared her experience, noting that the quake was more intense than others she had encountered. However, she confirmed that there was no damage at her location.

Scott Shannon, the deputy mayor of Timaru, a region near the earthquake’s center, mentioned that while there were no immediate reports of damage, ongoing assessments were being conducted.

This earthquake is significant because it is the largest in New Zealand this year and occurred not far from the location of the devastating 6.3-magnitude quake in 2011, which resulted in significant loss of life and extensive damage in Christchurch.

New Zealand, located in the Pacific Ring of Fire, frequently experiences seismic and volcanic activity due to tectonic plate movements. The country remains vigilant and prepared, applying lessons from the past to mitigate potential risks.