The United States Geological Survey (USGS) reported Monday that a magnitude 7.1 earthquake struck off Kermadec Island near New Zealand. The depth of the earthquake was 10 km (6.21 mi). The USGS initially put the earthquake’s magnitude at 7.3, but later downgraded it to 7.1. The US Pacific Tsunami Warning Center said the tsunami threat from the Kermadec Islands earthquake has ended.
No earthquake-related deaths have been reported so far. Due to its proximity to the world’s two major tectonic plates, the Australian Plate and the Pacific Plate, New Zealand is always prone to earthquakes.
There is no tsunami threat to New Zealand following the M7.1 Kermadec Islands earthquake. Based on current information, the initial assessment is that the earthquake is unlikely to have caused a tsunami that will pose a threat to New Zealand.
— National Emergency Management Agency (@NZcivildefence) April 24, 2023
The nation lies on the periphery of the Ring of Fire, an area of highly active earthquakes. New Zealand is rocked by thousands of earthquakes every year.
