GeoNet

Severe earthquake strikes South Island

Published: Mon Nov 14 2016 1:18 PM
News

A Magnitude 7.8 severe earthquake has struck 15 km north-east of Culverden at 12:02am, Monday 14th November

The magnitude 7.8 earthquake was 15 kilometres deep. The highest level of impact reported so far has been MM8 (severe) this level of shaking includes people experiencing difficulty standing, furniture and appliances shiftinng and substantial damage to fragile or unsecured objects and a few weak buildings may be damaged. This level of shaking was reported via the GeoNet Felt reports in the upper South Island and lower North Island.

The initial earthquake was felt widely throughout New Zealand. Currently there are more than 15,000 felt reports. There have already been many aftershocks recorded, the largest has a magnitude of 6.2.

__MCDEM have issued a tsunami threat for the initial earthquake. Our tide guages at Kaikoura, Wellington and Castlepoint have recorded this. Please follow advice regarding tsunami via the Civil Defence website - anyone at the coast on the East Coast of New Zealand move to higher ground. __