5.8 earthquake shook lower South Island, New Zealand

A 5.8 magnitude strong shallow earthquake shook the lower South Island of New Zealand, 180km southwest of the town Tuatapereat at 7.48pm local time (06:48:48 UTC). GeoNet reported the quake stuck at a depth of 12km. No tsunami alert was issued.

Acting Senior Sergeant Deon McNaught, of the Invercargill police, said the "20 to 30 second" quake was "a sway rather than a sharp shake". 'We've had no reports of damage." Waiau Hotel owner Dorothy Donald was sitting on a chair and felt a "little wobble", but only a few felt it at the Tuatapere establishment. Six people from Christchurch, in town to walk the Hump Ridge Track, all felt it, she said. (NzHerald)

EMSC reported 6,1 mag earthquake, USGS 5.9.