M6.1 earthquake hits New Zealand’s Central North Island – Tremors widely-felt throughout much of the country with more than 15,000 felt reports

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A M6.1 earthquake has struck 25 kilometres south-west of Taumarunui at 3.13pm local time (2.13am UTC). Tuesday 30 October. This earthquake was widely-felt throughout much of the country, there are currently more than 15,000 felt reports.

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M6.1 earthquake hits off New Zealand on October 30, 2018. via USGS

This earthquake hasn’t caused a tsunami as it is too deep and was not centred near the coast.

As this was a very deep quake, you can see from the pattern of felt reports that the energy travelled along the rigid subducting slab on the east of the North Island.

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M6.1 earthquake in New Zealand: Map of more than 15,000 reports from all over New Zeland. via Geonet

Large, deep earthquakes like this usually cause fewer aftershocks than shallower ones.

The jolts which struck the country shortly after 3:00pm local time have led the Parliament to suspend its session.

I never thought I’d have to do that, suspend the House until we find out what’s happened,” deputy speaker Anne Tolley said, according to local news. “There were public in the galleries and people need to just make sure their staff are OK. I mean we’re in the safest building probably in the country – but just to make sure and get some advice.

Remember in an earthquake to Drop, Cover and Hold.

earthquake emergency: drop cover hold
earthquake emergency: drop cover hold. via GeoNet

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GeoNet – M6.2 earthquake New ZealandLarge, deep M6.2 earthquake has struck Central North Island
USGS – M 6.1 – 64km ESE of Waitara, New Zealand

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