2012 Opunake earthquake
  | |
| UTC time | ?? |
|---|---|
| Magnitude | 7.0 ML; 6.3 Mw |
| Depth | 230 kilometres (143 mi) |
| Epicenter | 40°00′S 173°45′E / 40.00°S 173.75°E |
| Areas affected |  New Zealand |
| Tsunami | None |
| Casualties | None |
On 3 July 2012 at 10:36 pm, a major earthquake struck off the coast of New Zealand's North Island. New Zealand's GeoNet reported a magnitude of 7.0 (ML),[1] whereas the United States Geological Survey reported a magnitude 6.3 (MW).[2] The earthquake was felt throughout New Zealand[3][4][5], although there seems to have been mostly minor damage.[3][6][7]
Some residents on the Horowhenua coast evacuated to higher ground in anticipation of a tsunami, although Civil Defence believed the risk was low.[4]
The earthquake was followed by an aftershock of magnitude 4.6 at around 10:45 pm.[8] Another earthquake (3.9 magnitude) struck near Christchurch around 11:07 pm.[4][5][9]
References
- ^ GNS Science. "New Zealand Earthquake Report - Jul 3 2012 at 10:36 pm (NZST)".
- ^ USGS. "M6.2 - 57km SSW of Opunake, New Zealand".
- ^ a b Radio NZ. "Major quake felt in parts of NZ".
- ^ a b c Stuff.co.nz. "7.0 earthquake hits New Zealand".
- ^ a b New Zealand Herald. "Large earthquake felt across NZ".
- ^ ABC News. "NZ rattled by powerful earthquake".
- ^ GNS Science. "New Zealand Earthquake Report - Jul 3 2012 at 10:36 pm (NZST)".
- ^ GNS Science. "New Zealand Earthquake Report - Jul 3 2012 at 10:45 pm (NZST)".
- ^ GNS Science. "New Zealand Earthquake Report - Jul 3 2012 at 11:07 pm (NZST)".