© GeoNetThe epicentre of Friday's earthquake near Nueva Plymouth on New Zealand's North Island. Geonet said the quake was recorded at a depth of about 210km and was felt across the country
New Zealand has been hit by a huge 5.9 magnitude earthquake that was felt across the country - with buildings shaking on both islands.
The quake struck near Nueva Plymouth on the North Island, but was felt as far south as Christchurch on the South Island, at 10.58am local time on Friday.
GeoNet said the quake was recorded at a depth of about 210km and was originally measured at 5.4 magnitude before being upgraded to 5.9.
New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern was briefly rattled by the tremor, which struck as she was addressing the nation for a Covid-19 update.
Ms Ardern briefly grabbed her podium when the shaking began, smiled, and told a reporter: 'Sorry, a slight distraction... would you mind repeating that question?'
She told reporters at the end of the event that Deputy Prime Minister Grant Robertson, who was also on the stage, was not entirely convinced it was an earthquake and wondered if it was just strong wind.
More than 24,000 reports have been made to Geonet from residents who say they felt the earthquake - with 24 describing the tremors as 'extreme'.
One local in Richmond, 295km away from the epicentre said the quake 'felt like someone was shaking the bed'.
'There was one jolt followed by shaking, another jolt then more shaking. It seemed to go for 15 seconds,' another in Palmerston 160km away said.
A third closer in Hastings wrote: 'First I felt a dropping sensation while seated. I did hear a noise. After a moment the house started swaying, lights included.'
A video from a supermarket in Napier, a coastal city on the North Island, showed kitchenware shaking on shelves from what witnesses said was a 'long and strong' tremor.
Ruapehu Civil Defence controller Clive Manley said there were no reports of damage.
He said his team was prepared for any calls for help from the public, but none yet had been received. New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern was briefly rattled by the tremor, which struck as she was addressing the nation for a Covid-19 update
New Zealand often experiences weak to medium intensity earthquakes as it lies on the seismically active 'Ring of Fire', a 40,000-km (24,855-mile) arc of volcanoes and ocean trenches girdling much of the Pacific Ocean.
The city of Christchurch is still recovering from a 6.3 magnitude quake in 2011 that killed 185 people.
In 2016, a 7.8 magnitude tremor hit the South Island town of Kaikoura, killing two and causing billions of dollars worth of damage, including in the capital Wellington, which is on the North Island.
Reader Comments
* all words are from the original article and no words were harmed in the transmogrification process.
They can build to cope with earthquakes, it's a small compromise for the benefit on having easy access to thermal energy
This might bring retaliation down on them sooner rather than later, or even if they are not dragged into a northern hemisphere war, the "winner" might simply want to go after their nuke fleet to eliminate any future threat. In such a case, the fallout would kill them much sooner than if they had stayed out of any conflict. In case of nuke "exchanges" near Oz, NZ would get the fallout relatively quickly then. At that point, the elite had better be sure to have asbestos briefcases handy.
The submarine, is "just" the delivery vehicle for the weapon. You can launch a nuclear missile from a WW2 diesel electric sub "IF" it was set up/fitted to launch these type of weapons.
Retaliation? Retaliation for what? Defending their own nation from very a inflammatory China? Putting into service submarines that can stay on patrol a lot longer?
Before China can complain, they need to remove from service their own 12 nuclear submarines, who have also stated they plan to have 26 nuclear subs by 2040.
Australia is NOT a danger to any country militarily speaking. China is a danger, by their own statements about future intentions.
A war is most likely coming with China. Australia is/was dragged into it by it geographic location. China would also like a free rein in raping Oz of its resources.
Like the U.K. was the "warehouse" for supplies for the liberation of Europe in WW2; Oz will serve the same purpose in this coming conflict with China.
Pravdaseeker
Wouldn't it be better to avoid bootlicking the Washington neocons, steer an independent course for Oz, and let the Chinese obtain the country's resources they want via peaceful trade and commerce?
China has been around for thousands of years but Australia was allegedly unknown until the Dutch and British discovered it in the 17th century. China did have to deal with being attacked by Britain in the 19th century and were attacked by the Japanese during the 20th century
What is the basis for any claim that China is looking to use military means to expand beyond its traditional borders
Still, in response to your question, China did invade and occupy Tibet, and the Chinese have laid claim to a chunk of Kashmir, and recently swapped gunfire with troops from India near what China claims as its border in that area.