An earthquake struck near Te Anau on New Zealand’s South Island at 9:14 pm, first measured at magnitude 6.3 and later revised down to 5.9. The quake hit 51 kilometres below the surface.
New Zealand’s National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) issued a tsunami warning immediately after, telling residents along the West Coast from Milford Sound to Puysegur Point to evacuate at once.
“People near the coast in the following areas must move immediately to the nearest high ground, out of tsunami evacuation zones, or as far inland as possible,” NEMA said in its alert. “The earthquake may not have been felt in some of these areas, but evacuation should be immediate, as a damaging tsunami is possible. Do not return until an official all-clear message is given by Civil Defence. Walk, run or cycle if at all possible to reduce the chances of getting stuck in traffic congestion. The first wave may not be the largest. Tsunami activity will continue for several hours, and the threat is real until this warning is cancelled.”
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NEMA downgraded the warning to an advisory once the magnitude revision came through. Coastal flooding is no longer expected. There have been no reports of injuries or significant damage the quake struck 51 kilometres beneath the mountains.
Even with the downgrade, NEMA is warning of strong, unusual currents and unpredictable surges along the same coastal stretch, from Milford Sound to Puysegur Point. Aftershocks have followed, ranging in magnitude from 3.3 to 4.3.
