WELLINGTON: A powerful earthquake of magnitude-7.1 on Richter scale rattled the coast of North island of New Zealand on Friday morning, shaking items from shelves but not causing any major damage or injuries.
According to the United State Geological Survey – The earthquake hit just over 160 kilometers northeast of the city of Gisborne at a depth of 19 kilometers. The earthquake was widely felt throughout the North Island, New Zealand and was followed by a series of tremors.
The owner of a holiday part in Te Araroa – Bill Martin told The Associated Press that he was woken by the jolt a little at 5 a.m.
He said that It was very violent. It lasted maybe about 10 seconds but it seemed like an eternity.
He said that I watched the pantry do the rock and roll. There were at least four aftershocks that were reasonably strong as well.
Martin said that after the emergency management authorities issued a tsunami alert, many residents drove up to into the hills. Later the tsunami warning was canceled.
He said that earthquakes caused a huge disturbance in the ocean, but not any large waves. The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center in Hawaii did not issue any tsunami warnings for the region.
The earthquake came after a day when an earthquake of magnitude-5.7 on Richter scale registered in the same area, 100 kilometers northeast of Te Araroa.
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