6.3 earthquake strikes New Zealand


Image from earthquake.usgs.gov

    
A strong magnitude 6.3 earthquake has hit 40 kilometers off the New Zealand town of Kaikoura, GeoNet reported. Witnesses described feeling tremors all across central regions of the country.
The quake centered in Nelson region at the depth of 80 kilometers, according to GeoNet. The US Geological Survey, meanwhile, reported a lower magnitude of 5.9 at the epicenter.

There were no immediate reports of any major damage caused by the quake; however, local public transport services were temporarily halted.

The power of the earthquake's tremors knocked food items from their shelves in the stores and set off alarms.

Locals reported that the temblor lasted longer than usual, forcing houses to creak, which caused some people to panic.


GNS Science spokeswoman Caroline Little said the quake was labelled as

she said.

Little warned that some aftershocks are to be expected.

she said.


Kaikoura's store manager, James Hills, described the chaos in his shop after the quake hit.

Kaikoura's mayor, Winston Gray, told Radio New Zealand News, adding that there were some reports of minor damage throughout the city.

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