Huge 6.1 magnitude earthquake rocks New Zealand with the nation still recovering from a devastating cyclone
- A ‘massive’ earthquake hit New Zealand on Wednesday
- The 6.1 tremor shook homes in the north and south islands
- The jolt and moderate shaking was felt by 70,000 Kiwis
New Zealand has been rocked by a ‘massive’ 6.1 magnitude earthquake that was felt by 70,000 Kiwis across both north and south islands.
The ‘scary’ tremor was centred around its capital Wellington on the north island on Wednesday at 7.38pm NZDT around 50km northwest of Paraparaumu at a depth of 48km.
GeoNet classed the quake as strong after it struck with a jolt and was followed by 30 seconds of moderate shaking.
A Christchurch resident told the New Zealand Herald the quake had a rolling sensation.
Chief political reporter Aaron Dahmen from Newstalk ZB was caught up in the chaos and said his whole house in Wellington shook aggressively after he felt a ‘big bump’.
The ‘scary’ tremor was centred around its capital Wellington on the north island on Wednesday at 7.38pm NZDT around 50km northwest of Paraparaumu at a depth of 76km
‘A steady rumble followed for some time,’ he said.
Other Kiwis described the quake as ‘massive’ and ‘scary’.
The National Emergency Management Agency said there is no tsunami threat.
It comes a day after the country declared a national state of emergency due to widespread flooding and damage from Tropical Cyclone Gabrielle.
Thousands of Kiwis on the North Island woke up to no power, flooded homes, road closures and phone outages on Tuesday after the massive storm caused major chaos and cut off communities, leaving an enormous trail of destruction in its wake.
Tens of thousands, possibly hundreds of thousands, were without power due to destructive winds from the storm, including the entire city of Napier.
MORE TO COME.