Strong 6.5- magnitude earthquake hits between New Zealand’s North Island and Tonga
A strong 6.5-magnitude earthquake hit of New Zealand’s North Island, 192km (119mi) SSE of L’Esperance Rock Saturday night at the epicenter, according to a US Geologic Survey report Sunday.
L’Esperance Rock is located halfway between New Zealand’s North Island and Tonga.
No tsunami warnings were issued by the Joint Australian Tsunami Warning Center . Damage or casualties in the New Zealand-governed region were not expected.
The USGS reports that the eastern margin of the Australia plate is one of the most sesimically active areas of the world due to high rates of convergence between the Australia and Pacific plates. In the region of New Zealand, the 3000 km long Australia-Pacific plate boundary extends from south of Macquarie Island to the southern Kermadec Island chain.
Since 1900 there have been 15 M7.5+ earthquakes recorded near New Zealand.
According to the Richter Magnitude Scale, a earthquake between 6.0-6.9 magnitude is considered strong. Areas may experience damage to a moderate number of well built structures in populated areas. Earthquake-resistant structures survive with slight to moderate damage. Poorly-designed structures receive moderate to severe damage. Felt in wider areas; up to hundreds of miles/kilometers from the epicenter. Strong to violent shaking in epicentral area.
Image/CIA
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