(New Delhi: March 16, 2023): On Thursday morning, an earthquake of magnitude 7.0 hit the Kermadec Island region in New Zealand. The National Centre for Seismology (NCS) informed people via a tweet that an earthquake occurred at around 6:25 am IST with a depth of 41 km. Additionally, according to reports by the media, the United States Geological Survey (USGS) issued a statement stating that the tsunami waves might hit the coasts located within 300 km of the earthquake’s epicentre. The USGS further added that there is no tsunami threat to Australia. 

However, on other hand, the National Emergency Management Agency stated that there are no tsunami warnings for New Zealand. Still, following the earthquake, reports by New Zealand media recommend the issuance of relevant rescue measures in the region for any further situation. The National Emergency Management Agency of New Zealand also took to Twitter to share updates and rescue measures for the citizens. “There is no tsunami threat to New Zealand following the M7.0 earthquake in the Southern Kermadec Islands.

Due to the geographical location of New Zealand, it is prone to witness many hazards annually. The country is located at the convergence of the Australian and Pacific tectonic plates. In addition to this, it also falls on the periphery of the Ring of Fire, a region which has heightened seismic activity. Earlier on March 4, an earthquake had struck the same Kermadec Islands region, it was of 6.9 magnitude. The quake depth was reported at a depth of 152 km, USGS said. The European Mediterranean Seismological Centre estimated the earthquake’s magnitude to be 6.6 at a depth of 183 kilometres despite contradicting reports regarding its size. No tsunami warning was issued following the earthquake on March 4 either.