- A 6.0 magnitude earthquake struck near the Snares Islands just after midnight
- The quake was felt across Southland, Otago and as far north as Wellington
- This follows a stronger 6.8 quake near the same area earlier this year
A 6.0 magnitude earthquake was felt across the lower South Island and beyond in the early hours of Tuesday morning. The tremor struck at 12.53am, centred 115 kilometres northwest of the Snares Islands at a depth of 12 kilometres, according to GeoNet. It was classified as a moderate event.
Editors note: This updates a previous story that was linked to a March quake. Mike
Despite its offshore location, the quake was widely felt throughout the Southland and Otago regions. Reports also came in from as far north as Nelson and Wellington, highlighting the reach of the tremor.
GeoNet received nearly 1,200 reports from people who experienced the shaking. This event is the second in recent months to hit near the Snares Islands. In March, a stronger 6.8 magnitude earthquake occurred in the same region, creating noticeable sea disturbances and strong currents along the southern coastline of the South Island.
Civil Defence continues to monitor seismic activity in the area. While Tuesday's event was significant, there have been no immediate reports of damage or injuries.
Sources: RNZ, Geonet, whatsoninvers.nz