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New Zealand earthquake today: Multiple aftershocks hit Christchurch after 7.4 tremor | |
(35 minutes later) | |
A two-metre high tsunami has been recorded in New Zealand after a powerful 7.4 earthquake hit the country's South Island. | |
Smaller but "very dangerous" waves had begun to hit the coast near Wellington after a gauge at Kaikoura measured waves of 2m, according to local weather site Weather Watch. | |
New Zealand's Civil Defence authority described the threat of the wave as “an event of life-threatening or national significance” and warned people to stay away from beaches along the entire coastline. | |
The epicentre was recorded 57 miles north-northeast of Christchurch on the east coast of New Zealand's South Island. | |
It struck at the shallow depth of 3.1 miles, 28 miles from the town of Amberley which has a population of 2,000 people. | |
The Civil Defence authority have told South Island residents living on the east coast and those living on the nearby Chatham islands to move to higher ground. | |
Some of the first waves to hit the east coast as high as 2.5m have been reported but authorities have warned residents later waves may be higher. | |
Shortly following the earthquake, the authority tweeted: "Situation has changed - tsunami is possible. People near the coast in the South Island should move to high ground or inland." | |
Tremors were felt as far afield as the cities of Dunedin to the south and Wellington on North Island, reports the New Zealand Herald. | |
There have been reports of serious damage of houses in the town of Cheviot on the South Island's east coast. | |
Wayne Timmo from Hamilton in the north east of North Island told Stuff.co.nz: "The water in the neighbour's swimming pool was left sloshing around for about a minute and people woken by the quake came out onto the street to talk about it. | |
"The cat has disappeared and the neighbours dog is upset." | |
Mr Timmo said he woke to sound of blinds banging against the windows describing the quake feeling like "a long slow, rolling or almost rotating motion." | |
In 2011, 185 died when a quake struck Christchurch. The city's central business district is still recovering from the disaster with piles of bricks, ruined and abandoned buildings dotting the streets. | In 2011, 185 died when a quake struck Christchurch. The city's central business district is still recovering from the disaster with piles of bricks, ruined and abandoned buildings dotting the streets. |
Memorial plaques mark the spot where each of the 2011 quake victims died, and the city's cathedral in the main square has been left half-ruined after it was deemed too dangerous to repair. | |
The Antipodean country lies on the volatile Ring of Fire on the Pacific rim which is known for erupting volcanoes and frequent seismic disturbances. |