Thousands of individuals experienced the earthquake in New Zealand, as local news reported buildings shaking and objects falling off shelves.
Residents in the Southland and Fiordland areas should avoid marine locations as strong and unusual currents pose a threat, the National Emergency Management Agency advised following Tuesday’s earthquake.
“Those on boats, liveaboards, and at marinas should leave their vessels and move to shore. Do not return to boats unless instructed by officials,” the agency stated.
Over 4,700 individuals felt the quake, government seismic monitor Geonet reported, while New Zealand media documented falling items and swaying buildings.
The quake was recorded at a depth of 33km (21 miles) about 160km (99 miles) northwest of Snares Islands, the northernmost of New Zealand’s sub-Antarctic islands, Geonet stated in an alert.
We are assessing whether the M6.7 Southland earthquake has created a tsunami that could affect New Zealand. Go to https://t.co/ccVFYR8001 for more information.
— National Emergency Management Agency (@NZcivildefence) March 25, 2025
“Items fell from the shelf. The outdoor wooden table was shaking,” a user posted on Facebook, according to the New Zealand Herald newspaper.
The United States Geological Survey reported the quake, which was downgraded from an initial magnitude of 7, occurred at a depth of approximately 10 km (6 miles).
Australia’s national weather bureau stated there was no tsunami threat to the mainland, islands, or territories.
New Zealand is situated on the seismically active “Ring of Fire”, a 40,000km (24,854-mile) arc of volcanoes and ocean trenches encircling much of the Pacific Ocean.
