WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) – Officials in New Zealand have issued a tsunami warning for coastal areas after a shallow, powerful earthquake struck off the northeast coast on Thursday evening. There were no direct reports of serious damage or casualties.
New Zealand’s National Emergency Management Agency warned of a tsunami threat along the east of the country’s North Island following the magnitude 7.3 earthquake.
The US Tsunami Warning System predicted waves of 0.3 to 1 meter (1 to 3.3 feet), but later said the threat was over.
The US Geological Survey said the earthquake was centered at a depth of 20.8 kilometers (13 miles) under the ocean, about 174 kilometers (108 miles) northeast of the city of Gisborne. Residents of Gisborne reported light to moderate shaking, it said.
A 6.3 magnitude earthquake struck the city of Christchurch in 2011, killing 185 people and devastating much of the inner city.