Heavy rain over the past 2 days caused near-record river levels across the West Coast of New Zealand's South Island. In less than 48 hours, parts of the region recorded 548 mm (21.6 inches) of rain, nearly 10% of its yearly average. More than 300 mm (11.8…
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…
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…
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…
A severe storm brought extremely heavy rain, strong winds and high elevation snow to New Zealand's South Island and lower North Island on November 7 and 8, 2018. In just 57 hours, parts of the region received 652 mm (25.6 inches) of rain – more than it usually…
A strong earthquake registered by New Zealand's GeoNet as M6.2 hit North Island at 02:13 UTC (15:13 NZST) on October 30, 2018. The agency is reporting a depth of 207 km (128 miles). USGS is reporting M6.1 at a depth of 227 km (141 miles). EMSC is reporting M6.2…
A large waterspout formed in the Bay of Plenty, New Zealand on August 20, 2018, and hit the Ohope Beach just after 17:30 NZST, damaging at least six properties. Ohope is 6 km (3.7 miles) east of Whakatane, North Island. At the same time, on the other side of North…
A rare eruption of mud and steam took place around 12:30 local time on July 21, 2018, at Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland south of Rotorua in New Zealand. While such eruptions at Wai-O-Tapu are uncommon they are not unexpected, GNS volcanologist Brad Scott said. The…
The Crater Lake at White Island volcano in New Zealand continues to grow, which may cause hydrothermal surface activity, GeoNet Duty Volcanologist Brad Scott said Volcanic Alert Bulletin for White Island released July 4, 2018. The Volcanic Alert Level remains at 1….
A bright fireball exploded over New Zealand's South Island at 09:15 UTC (21:15 local time) on June 18, 2018. Witnesses say the object was green or blue and brighter than the full moon. ''Anybody see the crazy lights and hear the boom at 9.15,''…
