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| Tsunami alert after NZ earthquake | Tsunami alert after NZ earthquake |
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| A strong earthquake has shaken New Zealand, generating a small tsunami and briefly putting the country on alert. | A strong earthquake has shaken New Zealand, generating a small tsunami and briefly putting the country on alert. |
| The US said a 7.8-magnitude quake hit off the south-west tip of New Zealand, 161km (100 miles) west of Invercargill at a depth of 33km. | The US said a 7.8-magnitude quake hit off the south-west tip of New Zealand, 161km (100 miles) west of Invercargill at a depth of 33km. |
| The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center in Hawaii detected a small tsunami and issued a warning for New Zealand. | The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center in Hawaii detected a small tsunami and issued a warning for New Zealand. |
| It later cancelled the warning, but said there could have been some damage in areas near the epicentre. | It later cancelled the warning, but said there could have been some damage in areas near the epicentre. |
| There has been no word of damage from either the earthquake or any tsunami, although reports said the quake was felt across New Zealand's South Island. | There has been no word of damage from either the earthquake or any tsunami, although reports said the quake was felt across New Zealand's South Island. |
| "An earthquake of this size has the potential to generate a destructive tsunami that can strike coastlines in the region near the epicentre within minutes to hours," the warning centre said in a statement after the quake was detected. | "An earthquake of this size has the potential to generate a destructive tsunami that can strike coastlines in the region near the epicentre within minutes to hours," the warning centre said in a statement after the quake was detected. |
| The quake was detected at 2122 local time (0922 GMT), reports said. | The quake was detected at 2122 local time (0922 GMT), reports said. |
| The US Geological Survey (USGS) and Japanese seismologists classified the quake as a 7.8-magnitude event, but authorities in New Zealand suggested it could have been weaker. | The US Geological Survey (USGS) and Japanese seismologists classified the quake as a 7.8-magnitude event, but authorities in New Zealand suggested it could have been weaker. |
| "We've had big differences in the measurements of the quake," the country's national civil defence centre said in a statement, saying New Zealand's Institute of Geological and Nuclear Science measured it at magnitude 6.6. | "We've had big differences in the measurements of the quake," the country's national civil defence centre said in a statement, saying New Zealand's Institute of Geological and Nuclear Science measured it at magnitude 6.6. |
| A second earthquake, provisionally measured at magnitude 5.8 by the USGS, was detected shortly after the first event. | A second earthquake, provisionally measured at magnitude 5.8 by the USGS, was detected shortly after the first event. |
| 'Rolling feel' | 'Rolling feel' |
| In Hawaii, the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center said ocean buoys had detected an increase wave size in the aftermath of the quake. | In Hawaii, the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center said ocean buoys had detected an increase wave size in the aftermath of the quake. |
| The centre said the sea level was amplified by 17cm (6.7in) after the earthquake, with waves passing every 10 minutes. | The centre said the sea level was amplified by 17cm (6.7in) after the earthquake, with waves passing every 10 minutes. |
| Even though we are maybe 400km from the epicentre this was easily the longest and biggest I have ever felt Simon DarbySouth Island resident History of deadly earthquakes How earthquakes happen class="" href="/2/hi/science/nature/7533972.stm">Animated guide: Tsunamis | |
| "Sea level readings confirm that a tsunami was generated," it said in a statement. | "Sea level readings confirm that a tsunami was generated," it said in a statement. |
| "This tsunami may have been destructive along coastlines of the region near the earthquake epicentre." | "This tsunami may have been destructive along coastlines of the region near the earthquake epicentre." |
| Alerts were issued for a string of New Zealand coastal towns and cities. | Alerts were issued for a string of New Zealand coastal towns and cities. |
| New Zealand's Herald newspaper reported that the quake was felt across the South Island. | New Zealand's Herald newspaper reported that the quake was felt across the South Island. |
| People ran from restaurants in Queenstown as buildings shook, the newspaper said. Power and phone lines were severed in some places. | People ran from restaurants in Queenstown as buildings shook, the newspaper said. Power and phone lines were severed in some places. |
| One South Island resident, Simon Darby, told the newspaper the quake lasted about two-and-a-half minutes. | One South Island resident, Simon Darby, told the newspaper the quake lasted about two-and-a-half minutes. |
| "I lived in Tokyo for three years so I know what large quakes are like. Even though we are maybe 400km from the epicentre this was easily the longest and biggest I have ever felt," he said. | "I lived in Tokyo for three years so I know what large quakes are like. Even though we are maybe 400km from the epicentre this was easily the longest and biggest I have ever felt," he said. |
| "It wasn't very violent, more of a rolling feel. But it had a power about it - I ran straight outside into the car park." | "It wasn't very violent, more of a rolling feel. But it had a power about it - I ran straight outside into the car park." |
| Are you in the area? Have you been affected? Let us know by filling in the form below. | Are you in the area? Have you been affected? Let us know by filling in the form below. |
| You can also send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk. | You can also send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk. |
| The BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & Conditions | The BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & Conditions |