6.7 Magnitude Earthquake Strikes Near New Zealand’s South Island

On March 25, a 6.7 magnitude earthquake struck near New Zealand’s South Island. The tremor prompted warnings for residents in coastal regions, while over 4,700 people reported feeling it. This quake is part of a trend of powerful earthquakes occurring around the globe, including recent seismic activity in countries like Ukraine and Iran.

On March 25, a significant earthquake with a magnitude of 6.7 struck off the coast of New Zealand’s South Island, as reported by both Reuters and GeoNet. The tremor occurred 160 kilometers northwest of the Snares Islands at 14:43 local time, originating at a depth of 33 kilometers.

The National Emergency Management Agency has issued warnings urging residents in the Southland and Fiordland regions to avoid beaches and coastal areas, citing the risk of strong and unpredictable currents. The alert affects the western coastline from Milford Sound to Puysegur Point.

More than 4,700 individuals reported feeling the tremors, with local media indicating that objects fell and buildings swayed during the quake.

This event is part of a broader pattern of recent powerful earthquakes occurring globally, which have caused destruction in a variety of regions previously deemed seismically inactive, such as Ukraine. Notably, on March 21, an earthquake was reported near Isfahan, Iran, in proximity to a nuclear facility. Furthermore, earlier in March, a 2.6 magnitude quake was recorded in Ukraine’s Ternopil region, along with a 3.6 magnitude tremor near Poltava in February.

The powerful earthquake off New Zealand’s South Island highlights ongoing seismic activity in various regions worldwide, underscoring the unpredictable nature of geological events. The National Emergency Management Agency’s warnings are crucial for public safety, particularly in coastal areas vulnerable to hazardous currents following such earthquakes. This trend is evident in the recent seismic occurrences in nations previously considered stable, such as Ukraine.

Original Source: newsukraine.rbc.ua