On Tuesday, a significant earthquake measuring 6.8 on the Richter scale occurred off the coast of Riverton, New Zealand, as reported by the United States Geological Survey (USGS). The quake struck at a depth of 10 kilometers (approximately 6.2 miles) off the southwest tip of South Island.
Initially recorded at a magnitude of 7, it has prompted green alerts regarding potential shaking-related fatalities and economic impacts; however, the likelihood of casualties or damage appears low. The local population generally resides in structures designed to withstand earthquakes, although some vulnerable buildings remain.
New Zealand’s emergency management agency is currently evaluating whether the earthquake generated a tsunami that might affect the country, stating that if a tsunami does materialize, it would not likely reach New Zealand for at least an hour.
Historically, New Zealand is situated in a seismically active area due to the ongoing convergence of the Australian and Pacific tectonic plates. The region has experienced approximately 15 earthquakes of magnitude 7.5 or more since 1900, with significant past events including the devastating 6.3 magnitude quake in Christchurch in 2011, which resulted in 185 fatalities, and the 7.8 magnitude Hawke’s Bay earthquake in 1931 that claimed 256 lives.
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