On Friday, a 7.2 magnitude earthquake hit the east of New Zealand’s North Island. A tsunami warning was then issued, but it was later withdrawn. However, residents are advised to be alert.
While there were no immediate reports of damage or casualties, the New Zealand National Emergency Management Agency still advised residents of certain coastal areas to move to high ground. People from the coast near Cape Runaway to Tolaga Bay were told to evacuate.
Gisborne was the closest major city to the epicenter of the earthquake. The city has a population of 35,500 people. While there was no threat to the capital, Wellington, or other regions, authorities asked residents throughout New Zealand to stay away from beaches and marine areas due to unusually strong currents.
The earthquake was felt by more than 60,000 people, and aftershocks were continuously recorded in the area. The quake, which occurred at a depth of 10km, was initially recorded at 7.3 and later revised to a 6.9 by the US Geological Survey.
