Tsunami warning for magnitude 8.1 earthquake in northern New Zealand

The United States Geological Survey (USGS) found an earthquake of magnitude 8.1 on the Richter scale in northern New Zealand, This prompted the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center to issue a warning for a tsunami affecting various islands in Oceania.

According to the USGS, the quake, which occurred after other earthquakes of 7.4 and 6.9 in the same region, It occurred at 8:28 a.m. local time (7:28 p.m. Friday GMT) 1,033 kilometers off the New Zealand coast.

The US Tsunami Warning Center has issued tsunami “threat” advisories for New Zealand, the Solomon Islands, New Caledonia, Fiji, the Cook Islands, the Polynesian Islands and those of American Samoa for the United States. possibility of water rising up to one meter in coastal areas. In addition, he issued a bulletin to keep alert for possible waves throughout the Hawaiian archipelago.

In New Zealand, authorities have ordered an evacuation of the country’s northeast coast. “The inhabitants of the coastal areas (…) must immediately leave for the nearest high altitude area, outside all evacuation areas, and inland,” the agency asked. New Zealand emergency.

The USGS updated the strength of the quake, which was 19 kilometers deep and was preceded by less intense tremors, since they first calculated a magnitude 8 on the Richter scale.

Previously, in the same area, a 7.3 magnitude earthquake shook the waters in northeastern New Zealand early Friday, causing an initial tsunami warning which was later withdrawn. no material damage or casualties have been recorded for the moment. This earthquake was located 178 kilometers northeast of Gisborn and 228 kilometers east of Whakatane, two towns on the country’s northern island.

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