An earthquake centered South East of Great Barrier jolted the island on Tuesday evening, leaving residents shaken and diving for cover. The magnitude 5.5 tremor struck at 8:00 PM and was felt by more than 2,000 people across the island and the Coromandel.
According to GeoNet, the quake was located 120 km south east of Great Barrier at a depth of just 5 km. The shallow nature of the event meant the energy traveled with significant force across the Hauraki Gulf, hitting the island with what was for some a violent, swaying motion.
One resident from the south of the island described a scene of sudden chaos as the tremor hit.
“I was literally sitting on the toilet and the fridge was rocking side to side,” they said. “The whole, like our deck cabin, you know, everything was just shaking.”
The resident noted that the physical movement was accompanied by an ominous noise that preceded the shaking.
“It almost felt like a rumble,” they said. “It was like what the fudge was that, like a big giant was just slamming into the bloody house… it is definitely not something I have ever experienced before.”
A smaller magnitude 4.2 aftershock followed five minutes later at 8:05 PM, though it was centered much deeper at 33 km and went largely unnoticed by many who were still reacting to the initial jolt. Two additional aftershocks have since hit. One at 8:46 PM, another at 8:50 PM, both felt by locals.
While the shaking was intense on the island, reports from the mainland were hit and miss. Some residents in Thames reported feeling nothing at all, but the Aotea Community Page was immediately flooded with posts from locals checking in on neighbours and reporting rattling windows and shifting furniture.
There have been no immediate reports of damage, and no Tsunami alert has been issued. However, following earthquakes, residents are advised to stay away from beaches and shorelines, and remain vigilant for further aftershocks throughout the night.
WHAT TO DO
Drop, Cover and Hold is the action to take in an earthquake. It stops you being knocked over, makes you a smaller target for falling and flying objects, and protects your head, neck and vital organs.
Most injuries and deaths during earthquakes are caused by things falling on people rather than buildings collapsing. Do not run outside or you risk getting hit by falling trees.
Near the Coast?
If the earthquake lasts longer than a minute or is strong enough to make it difficult to stand, MOVE QUICKLY TO THE NEAREST HIGH GROUND or as far inland as you can out of tsunami evacuation zones.
