NEW ZEALAND: An earthquake of magnitude 7.3 rocked the Kermadec Islands region near New Zealand on Monday, the United States Geological Survey (USGS) said. About 30 minutes later another earthquake of 5.4-magnitude was reported.
Investigating Tsunami threat, the authorities rules out the calamity an hour later. However, citizens at the coast were urged to ‘leave immediately’ instead of waiting for a tsunami review.
So far, no casualties have been reported due to the earthquake.
The epicentre appeared to be located around the Kermadec Islands, which is about 500 miles north-east of the New Zealand coast.
The NEMA’s website said: “People should be self-evacuating immediately from all places near the coast where the earthquake was felt EITHER for longer than a minute OR was strong enough that it was hard to stand.”
“Do not stay at home if you are near the coast and felt the earthquake LONG or STRONG. Evacuate immediately to the nearest high ground, out of all tsunami evacuation zones or as far inland as possible, the post further read”.
Earlier in March, two quake’s jolted the Kermadec Islands.
New Zealand’s most recent powerful earthquake was also recorded around the Kermadec Islands. It was jolted by the biggest strike in December 2004, when a huge 8.1-magnitude quake landed south of the country.