Massive 7.1 magnitude earthquake hits Kermadec Islands, could a tsunami hit New Zealand’s coast?
Written by Sanjay Kumar
An earthquake of 7.1 magnitude struck the Kermadec Islands region in New Zealand on Thursday (March 16), the US Geological Survey (USGS) said.
Notable quake, preliminary info: M 7.1 – Kermadec Islands region https://t.co/wWnuW9x2cO
— USGS Earthquakes (@USGS_Quakes) March 16, 2023
Earthquake tremors were felt in the Kermadec Islands, located in the north of the country, in the early hours of Thursday (March 16). The USGS stated that the earthquake was estimated at a depth of 10 km (6.21 mi).
New Zealand
Country in Oceania
- Capital: Wellington
- Prime minister: Chris Hipkins
- Population: 51.2 lakhs (2021) World Bank
- Continent: Oceania
- Official languages: Māori, English, New Zealand Sign Language
The US Tsunami Warning System issued a tsunami warning for nearby uninhabited islands within a 300-km radius. However, the National Emergency Management Agency clarified that there was no tsunami threat for New Zealand.
The Kermadec Islands, measuring approximately 13 square miles, are situated northeast of the New Zealand capital. The Mirror reports that this volcanic island is frequently hit by tremors.
Why New Zealand is prone to earthquakes?
New Zealand is located along the boundary of two tectonic plates: the Australian Plate and the Pacific Plate. This boundary is known as the “Ring of Fire” and is responsible for many earthquakes and volcanic eruptions around the Pacific Ocean.
The Australian Plate is moving slowly towards the northeast, while the Pacific Plate is moving towards the northwest. As the two plates move against each other, immense pressure builds up at their boundary, causing earthquakes when the pressure is released suddenly.
Additionally, New Zealand sits on a complex network of active faults, which are breaks in the Earth’s crust where two blocks of rock are moving past each other. The movement of these blocks can cause earthquakes when the built-up pressure is released.
Overall, the combination of the location along the Ring of Fire and the presence of active faults makes New Zealand highly prone to earthquakes.
The Largest Earthquakes in New Zealand
Here are some of the most devastating earthquakes in New Zealand’s history:
- Napier Earthquake, 1931: This earthquake, with a magnitude of 7.8, struck the city of Napier on the east coast of New Zealand’s North Island on February 3, 1931. It caused widespread damage and loss of life, with 256 people killed and thousands injured.
- Christchurch Earthquake, 2011: On February 22, 2011, a magnitude 6.3 earthquake struck the city of Christchurch on the South Island. The earthquake caused significant damage to buildings and infrastructure, and resulted in 185 deaths.
- Kaikoura Earthquake, 2016: This earthquake, with a magnitude of 7.8, struck the South Island of New Zealand on November 14, 2016. It caused widespread damage to roads and buildings, and resulted in two fatalities.
- Hawke’s Bay Earthquake, 1931: On February 3, 1931, a magnitude 7.8 earthquake struck the Hawke’s Bay region of New Zealand’s North Island, causing extensive damage and loss of life. The earthquake resulted in 256 deaths and thousands of injuries.
- Edgecumbe Earthquake, 1987: On March 2, 1987, a magnitude 6.5 earthquake struck the town of Edgecumbe on the North Island, causing widespread damage and resulting in two deaths and hundreds of injuries.
These are just a few examples of some of the most devastating earthquakes in New Zealand’s history. New Zealand has a long history of seismic activity, and the country is continually working to improve its earthquake preparedness and response.
Must Read:-
- Top 10 Largest Oceans and Seas in the World
- Top 10 automobile companies in India 2023
- Top 10 Electrical Companies in India 2023
- Top 10 Real Estate Companies in India-2023
- Top 10 most awaited & upcoming Hindi web series 2023-24
- Top 10 Clothing Brands in India 2023
- Top 10 best cultures in the world-2023
- Top 10 best country to work and live in 2023
- Top 10 best country for education 2023
- Top 10 Most Followed Celebrities on Instagram 2023
