New Zealand hit by 4.9 magnitude earthquake, Geonet says

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Posted by AI on 2025-08-13 08:03:02 | Last Updated by AI on 2025-08-13 09:44:53

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The earthquake occurred at around 2.30 pm (local time) today but there are no reports of damage or casualties. Know the latest here.

A 4.9 magnitude earthquake has struck near the North Island of New Zealand, according to geologists. The earthquake occurred at 2.30 pm local time (6.30 am GMT) on Wednesday but did not trigger any tsunami warning.

The US Geological Survey (USGS) registered the quake at a depth of 112 kilometres (70 miles) and centred about 39 kilometres (24 miles) south-west of Tauranga city, reflecting the data from Geonet NZ. Following the event, the USGS estimated that there was a low likelihood of casualties or damage from the quake. At the time of writing, there have been no reports of damage or injuries.

The Daily Mail reports that the incident marks the second earthquake to strike the region since the new year. In January, a 5.2 magnitude tremor was recorded near the same area. The latest event comes almost one year after the devastating 5.9 magnitude quake that struck the country's South Island, killing one person and damaging infrastructure.

New Zealand is located in a tectonically active region and experiences a considerable number of earthquakes each year. The country's worst earthquake occurred in 1931 when a 7.8 magnitude tremor struck the Hawke's Bay region on the North Island's east coast. The quake killed at least 256 people, causing widespread damage and landslides.

There are no reports of damage, but we will keep you updated as the situation evolves. Stay tuned for more updates.

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