Magnitude 6.7 quake shakes New Zealand's South Island

25/3/2025 13:01

A strong 6.7 magnitude earthquake struck off New Zealand's South Island on Tuesday, authorities said, as the country's disaster agency assessed if there were any tsunami threats.



The National Emergency Management Agency said, residents of the Southland and Fiordland regions should stay away from beaches and marine areas as strong and unusual currents may present a danger.



More than 4,700 people felt the quake, government seismic monitor Geonet said, as New Zealand media reported items falling and buildings swaying.



Geonet said in an alert, the quake was reported at a depth of 33 km about 160 km north-west of Snares Islands, the northernmost of New Zealand's sub-antarctic islands.



The United States Geological Survey said the quake, which was downgraded from an earlier magnitude of 7, happened at a depth of about 10 km.



Australia's national weather bureau said there was no tsunami threat to the mainland, islands or territories.