Earthquakes strike off East Coast, felt across North Island

An earthquake is reported to have occurred off the Bay of Plenty, on the North Island’s East Coast, at about 8pm tonight, May 5.

The agency GeoNet says the magnitude 5.6 earthquake was reported with “weak shaking” occurring.

“The quake was 5km deep and was felt across the north-east coast of the North Island,” the agency stated on social media.

“We have received over 2000 felt reports.”

The location of the earthquake is described as 135km north of Te Kaha.

News media are reporting that a second earthquake, with a magnitude of 4.2, occurred in a similar location about five minutes after the first one.

The website VolcanoDiscovery tonight stated:

“Based on the preliminary seismic data, the quake should not have caused any significant damage, but was probably felt by many people as light vibration in the area of the epicenter.

“Weak shaking might have been felt in Te Kaha, located 114km from the epicenter.”