Strong and shallow M6.4 earthquake hits Kermadec Islands, New Zealand

Strong and shallow M6.4 earthquake hits Kermadec Islands, New Zealand

A strong and shallow earthquake registered by the USGS as M6.4 hit Kermadec Islands region, New Zealand at 08:01 UTC on June 19, 2019. The agency is reporting a depth of 10 km (6.2 miles). EMSC is reporting M6.5 at a depth of 11 km (6.8 miles). This is the 31st…

Powerful M7.2 earthquake hits Kermadec Islands Region, New Zealand

Powerful M7.2 earthquake hits Kermadec Islands Region, New Zealand

A very strong and shallow earthquake registered by the USGS as M7.2 (downgraded from M7.4) hit Kermadec Islands Region at 22:54 UTC on June 15, 2019. The agency is reporting a depth of 35 km (21.7 miles). EMSC is reporting M7.2 at a depth of 10 km (6.2 miles). The…

Slow-slip event detected off the coast of Gisborne, New Zealand

Slow-slip event detected off the coast of Gisborne, New Zealand

GNS scientists are monitoring a slow-slip event that started at the end of March 2019 near Gisborne, off the east coast of North Island, New Zealand. Slow-slip events are linked to an increase in localized earthquake activity. A similar sequence of earthquakes was…

Shallow M6.3 earthquake hits Kermadec Islands region, New Zealand

Shallow M6.3 earthquake hits Kermadec Islands region, New Zealand

A strong and shallow earthquake registered by the USGS as M6.3 hit ESE of L'Esperance Rock, Kermadec Islands, New Zealand at 15:46 UTC on March 6, 2019. The agency is reporting a depth of 10 km (6.2 miles). EMSC is reporting the same magnitude and depth. The…

Mud volcano erupts at New Zealand’s Waimata Valley, North Island

Mud volcano erupts at New Zealand’s Waimata Valley, North Island

A mud volcano started erupting at New Zealand's Waimata Valley, North Island, on December 15, 2018, covering about 1.2 ha (2.9 acres) of land in white mud and saline water. The initial eruption lasted 5 hours. According to Gisborne District Council, mud…

Rare tornado hits Canterbury as complex weather system moves over New Zealand

Rare tornado hits Canterbury as complex weather system moves over New Zealand

A severe storm accompanied by hailstones the size of marbles and at least one large tornado hit Canterbury, New Zealand on November 18, 2018. Some of the residents described the tornado as a massive ball of dust coming at the road. The country is currently under the…