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Quake sparks NZ-Australia alert Quake sparks NZ-Australia alert
(about 2 hours later)
Tsunami warnings were issued earlier for parts of New Zealand and south-east Australia after a strong earthquake. Tsunami warnings were issued earlier for parts of New Zealand and south-east Australia after a powerful earthquake.
The tremor struck around the tip of New Zealand's South Island, generating warnings of a low-level tsunami.The tremor struck around the tip of New Zealand's South Island, generating warnings of a low-level tsunami.
People in coastal areas were advised to move to higher ground, but there were no reports of major damage or injuries.People in coastal areas were advised to move to higher ground, but there were no reports of major damage or injuries.
New Zealand said the quake, west of Invercargill, measured 6.6 magnitude, although US and Japanese geologists recorded it as stronger, at 7.8. New Zealand said the quake, west of Invercargill, measured 7.8 magnitude, and a second quake about 20 minutes later measured 6.1.
It struck 5km (three miles) below ground in the remote Fiordland region at 2122 (0922 GMT), said New Zealand's Institute of Geological and Nuclear Sciences, though US experts said it was much deeper. New Zealand's Institute of Geological and Nuclear Sciences initially recorded the first quake at 6.6 magnitude, before upgrading it.
'Go to higher ground' The initial tremor struck 5km (3 miles) below ground in the remote Fiordland region at 2122 (0922 GMT), said the government institute, though US experts said it was much deeper.
A 6.1-magnitude aftershock was recorded in the same area about 20 minutes later, said the government institute. 'Cracks in buildings'
The whole house was moving, the door was moving in the doorframe, and the fence posts were moving Simon WilsonInvercargill householder History of deadly earthquakes How earthquakes happen Animated guide: Tsunamis
New Zealand issued a tsunami warning for a string of its coastal towns and cities, but later cancelled it.New Zealand issued a tsunami warning for a string of its coastal towns and cities, but later cancelled it.
Australia said a tsunami was detected in the Tasman Sea heading towards the country's south-east coast. The whole house was moving, the door was moving in the doorframe, and the fence posts were moving Simon WilsonInvercargill householder class="" href="/2/hi/in_depth/2059330.stm">History of deadly earthquakes class="" href="/2/hi/science/nature/4126809.stm">How earthquakes happen class="" href="/2/hi/science/nature/7533972.stm">Animated guide: Tsunamis
It was not expected to be a destructive wave, but could bring strong currents and coastal flooding, said Australia's Tsunami Warning Centre. Australia also scrapped its alert, but had said a tsunami was detected in the Tasman Sea heading towards the country's south-east coast.
"People in areas with threat to land inundation and flooding are strongly advised by emergency authorities to go to higher ground or at least 1km inland," said the Australian Bureau of Meteorology. The warning was downgraded to a "small boat alert" after about an hour, although officials had earlier been concerned it could bring coastal flooding.
The tremor lasted at least a minute and was felt as a rolling motion across New Zealand's South Island, according to reports.The tremor lasted at least a minute and was felt as a rolling motion across New Zealand's South Island, according to reports.
Local media said the quake caused minor cracks in some buildings and sent stock tumbling from supermarket shelves.Local media said the quake caused minor cracks in some buildings and sent stock tumbling from supermarket shelves.
People ran from restaurants in Queenstown as buildings shook, reports New Zealand's Herald newspaper. Power and phone lines were severed in some places.People ran from restaurants in Queenstown as buildings shook, reports New Zealand's Herald newspaper. Power and phone lines were severed in some places.
"The whole house was moving, the door was moving in the doorframe, and the fence posts were moving," Invercargill resident Simon Wilson told Radio New Zealand."The whole house was moving, the door was moving in the doorframe, and the fence posts were moving," Invercargill resident Simon Wilson told Radio New Zealand.
Another Invercargill householder said his wife and their three young children huddled under the dining table during the quake, reported the New Zealand Press Association.Another Invercargill householder said his wife and their three young children huddled under the dining table during the quake, reported the New Zealand Press Association.
New Zealand records more than 14,000 earthquakes a year, but only about 150 are felt by residents and fewer than 10 annually cause damage.New Zealand records more than 14,000 earthquakes a year, but only about 150 are felt by residents and fewer than 10 annually cause damage.
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