5.2-Magnitude Earthquake Strikes New Zealand

5.2-Magnitude Earthquake Strikes New Zealand
USGS
Jack Phillips
Updated:

A 5.2-magnitude earthquake hit central New Zealand, rattling the nerves of thousands of people who live on the island.

The quake struck near Kaikoura—around the same area that was hit by a 7.8-magnitude earthquake last month, News.com.au reported. It hit around 20 miles east of Seddon, a town on the South Island.

The quake struck at about 10 miles in depth.

Aftershocks since the main quake hit have registered 3.8-magnitude and 3.3-magnitude on the Richter scale.

According to the U.S. Geological Survey, the first quake was initially registered as a 5.5, but was then downgraded to a 5.2 on the scale.

The New Zealand Herald, meanwhile, reported that about 7,000 people are believed to have felt the temblor.

“The rubble started and I thought it was just a bus going by but then I heard creaks in the house and thought, ‘Oh my goodness, this is another quake’. It went for some time,” local Michael Duncan told Chinchilla News.

Jack Phillips
Jack Phillips
Breaking News Reporter
Jack Phillips is a breaking news reporter who covers a range of topics, including politics, U.S., and health news. A father of two, Jack grew up in California's Central Valley. Follow him on X: https://twitter.com/jackphillips5
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