No damage reported after a 4.9 magnitude quake jolts New Zealand’s lower North Island
WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) — A magnitude 4.9 earthquake struck New Zealand ’s lower North Island Wednesday, with a jolt rated as moderate by the country’s geological sciences agency.
The quake was centered 20 km (12 miles) south of the city of Hastings in the Hawkes Bay region at a depth of 30 km (19 miles), the agency GeoNet said. There were no reports of damage.
The quake, which happened just before 6pm local time, was widely felt by almost 6,000 people who filed reports to the GeoNet website. Residents in the area reported furniture and belongings shaking and wobbling, according to New Zealand news outlets.
Hawkes Bay is one of New Zealand’s most seismically active regions. A major earthquake in 1931 killed 256 people.
New Zealand, home to 5 million people, sits on the “Ring of Fire,” an arc of seismic faults around the Pacific Ocean where earthquakes and volcanoes are common.
News from © The Associated Press, . All rights reserved.
This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Join the Conversation!
Want to share your thoughts, add context, or connect with others in your community? Create a free account to comment on stories, ask questions, and join meaningful discussions on our new site.
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.