No harm but many feel sharp jolt quake
A powerful 5.8 magnitude earthquake was felt by a record 37,000 people yesterday, yet caused minimal damage, which scientists say is likely due to the depth and offshore positioning.
The earthquake struck at 7.53am, about 30km northwest of Levin at a depth of 37km.
It lasted about 30 seconds, causing many to duck for cover with the “long and rolling” tremors, and felt as far north as Auckland and near the bottom of the South Island.
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern was live on television when it struck.
“We’re just having a bit of an earthquake here,” the PM said to Newshub host Ryan Bridge as the screen began to shake.
GNS Science seismologist John Ristau said although for many it was a “sharp jolt”, the lack of damage was likely due to the depth and location.
“It was quite deep, so that mitigates a lot of the damaging effects, and being 30km offshore also helps a great deal. Then at 5.8 it is not so huge, and that all helps not cause any serious damage.”
The devastating Christchurch earthquake in 2011 was 6.3 magnitude, but at a depth of just 5km, and 10km southeast of the CBD.
The position offshore also meant it was in an area less-studied by scientists, and not linked to any known, major fault lines, Ristau said.
“It possibly occurred where the Pacific plate is subducting, being pushed under, the Australian plate, which is what happens in the North Island, but we are not exactly sure.
“It is not too surprising it occurred there though, as the Ka¯piti Coast is quite an active area. There are often magnitude 3s and 4s, and we did have a 5.4 in the area looking back about 10 years.”