A powerful earthquake measuring 6.7 in magnitude struck off the coast of New Zealand’s South Island, causing widespread concern over the possibility of a tsunami. Occurring at 2:42 PM NZDT, the quake was located about 160 kilometers northwest of the Snares Islands at a depth of 12 kilometers. Thousands of residents on the mainland reported feeling the tremor.
In response, the National Emergency Management Agency issued a warning, urging people to steer clear of coastal and marine areas. The advisory stated that individuals in regions such as Southland and Fiordland should remain away from the shoreline, as the quake had the potential to generate strong and erratic sea currents.
“Strong currents and surges can injure and drown people,” the agency warned. “There is a danger to swimmers, surfers, people fishing, and anyone in or near the water close to shore.”
Locals were advised to immediately vacate the water, beaches, harbours, marinas, estuaries, and rivers. The agency also recommended people leave areas near the coast if the shaking lasted longer than a minute or if the tremor was so intense that it became difficult to remain standing—classic indicators that a tsunami could be imminent. Although no official evacuation was ordered, the urgency in the agency’s message was clear: move inland or to higher ground without delay.
Later in the evening, authorities noted that the threat of dangerous marine currents was expected to lessen. Despite the initial alarm, Australia’s Bureau of Meteorology confirmed that there was no tsunami threat to Australia at that time.
According to GeoNet, the government’s seismic monitoring agency, approximately 4,700 people across New Zealand were impacted by the quake. In communities close to the epicenter, residents shared reports of their experiences, with some describing how buildings shook and furniture tumbled to the floor.
“We had things fall off the shelf. The outdoor wooden table dancing,” one person commented on Facebook, highlighting the jarring intensity of the quake.
Additionally, a coastal sea-level gauge near the southwestern edge of the South Island—specifically in Fiordland—picked up signs of a small tsunami. The device recorded a 10-centimeter sea level fluctuation that lasted for about 90 minutes after the earthquake struck.
The quake occurred near the Puysegur Trench, a well-known seismic hotspot where the Australian tectonic plate collides with and subducts beneath the Pacific plate. Despite its activity, this region remains one of the less studied areas in New Zealand’s complex geological landscape.
“This area is actually very poorly understood,” Seismologist Dr. Finn Illsley-Kemp explained in an interview with the NZ Herald. “There’s been far less research done here compared to other regions, leaving many unknowns about the exact tectonics – but it’s hosted some of our biggest earthquakes.”
As assessments continue and aftershocks remain possible, authorities are urging residents to stay alert, avoid coastal areas, and monitor official channels for any updates related to tsunami activity or further seismic disturbances.
