This morning, a magnitude 6.2 earthquake hit New Zealand’s South Island.
According to Geonet, the epicenter was located 45 kilometers from the town of Geraldine.
The event, which was the strongest to hit the country this year, was centered around 120 kilometers from Christchurch.
The earthquake was felt across the country’s North and South Islands.
Central South Island has been shaken by a M6.2 earthquake this morning. We have received over 14,000 felt reports for this strong quake. Remember to Drop, cover and hold in an earthquake and if you are near the coast, remember Long or Strong, Get Gone https://t.co/I3SnMl3L9N pic.twitter.com/NPojSdU9g3
— GeoNet (@geonet) September 19, 2023
Although it was powerful, the country’s emergency management agency noted that there was no threat of a tsunami.
More than 14,000 reports were submitted by the emergency management agency.
In New Zealand, people described the earthquake as long and stumbling.
An aftershock, which had a magnitude of 3.4, was also recorded around 10 minutes following the initial shock.
The earthquake was similar to the one that hit Christchurch in 2011, which killed over 180 people.
Although it’s not clear exactly how the damage was caused, residents have already started sharing their experience online.
According to Dan Hall, who lives in Mount Somers, he felt his car sway as the earthquake hit.
He said that he initially thought that his vehicle’s tires were going to come off.
He told Stuff that this was the first time he felt such an earthquake.
