A strong earthquake measuring 6.8 in magnitude hit off the coast of Riverton, New Zealand, on Tuesday, as reported by the United States Geological Survey (USGS). Initially recorded as a magnitude 7 quake, it occurred at a depth of 10 kilometers (6.2 miles) near the southwest corner of South Island. No tsunami warning has been issued for the region at this time.
The USGS issued green alerts, which indicate low risks of fatalities and significant damage. The affected area primarily consists of buildings that are well-designed to withstand earthquakes, though some more vulnerable structures may be at risk.
New Zealand’s emergency management agency is currently evaluating whether the earthquake has triggered a tsunami that could impact the country. In their national advisory, the agency stated, “If a tsunami has been generated in this location, it is unlikely to reach New Zealand for at least one hour.”
This earthquake comes almost a decade after a deadly 6.3 magnitude quake struck Christchurch in 2011, resulting in the deaths of 185 people.
