Moments ago, a third earthquake stroke New Zealand on the same day after the two strong 7.4 and 7.3 magnitudes. The late fierce 8.1 magnitudes forced authorities to announce a new Tsunami warning and asked people to move to the highest nearby spots fearing the arrival of Tsunami waves.
TSUNAMI WARNING: Listen to local civil defence authorities and follow any evacuation instructions. Coastal inundation (flooding of land areas) is expected in areas under Land and Marine threat. See attached map for affected areas. More info at https://t.co/ccVFYQQoBr pic.twitter.com/KoKouvbYeB
— National Emergency Management Agency (@NZcivildefence) March 4, 2021
On Thursday, two earthquakes hit the east New Zealand coasts issuing a tsunami warning before it was lifted by the authorities.
After declaring the Tsunami warning, authorities called people near coasts to move immediately.
New Zealand's 7.3 magnitude earthquake could set off a chain reaction in the Pacific Plate ring of fire. A shift on one side can cause
a shift on the other. The West Coast from Chile to Alaska needs to be aware pic.twitter.com/aLuP4XE0FL— Rick Ocean (@RickOceanMusic) March 4, 2021
However, there are no casualties reported until now, but the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) expressed that there is a threat in several spots of the east of North Island.
“Coastal inundation (flooding of land areas) is expected in areas under Land and Marine threat,” NEMA tweeted.
We have issued a NATIONAL ADVISORY: TSUNAMI ACTIVITY following the magnitude 7.3 earthquake near EAST OF THE NORTH ISLAND NEW ZEALAND. We expect New Zealand coastal areas to experience strong and unusual currents and unpredictable surges at the shore
— National Emergency Management Agency (@NZcivildefence) March 4, 2021
In the same context, authorities said that earliest waves may arrive East Cape. Measures against Tsunami activity will last for hours until the threat is cancelled.
“Hope everyone is ok out there – especially on the East Coast who would have felt the full force of that earthquake,” Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern posted on Instagram.
Civil Defense authorities asked people to stay away beaches or marine areas for safety.
After the warning was lifted, authorities urged residents to be alarmed in case of any updates.