A strong, very deep earthquake struck mid-way between Fiji and Tonga this afternoon.
The magnitude 6.0 quake was located 390 km ESE of Suva, Fiji; 355 km WNW of Nuku’alofa, Tonga at a depth of 480 km. Data supplied by the US Geological Survey shows that the earthquake struck at 2:59 p.m. New Zealand time.
The preliminary depth and location suggest that property damage is unlikely.
Earthquake activity lower than April. Raoul Island, Ruapehu, White Island remain at Alert Level 1. Change at Mt Ngauruhoe.
Geonet, the USGS (NEIC) and IGNS reported 29 earthquakes in the New Zealand area between the Kermadec Islands in the north, and the Auckland Islands to the south during May 2006. The magnitude distributions were as follows:
M7 to 7.9 (1), M6 to 6.9 (none), M5 to 5.9 (5), M4 to 4.9 (13) M3 to 3.9 (9).
An additional event in the magnitude 2 range was deemed worthy of mention.
Tawa’s weather for the three weeks to June 21st has been colder and wetter than last year.
Whilst we have been spared the snowfalls that have bedevilled many parts of Otago and Canterbury, we have had several southerly blasts that have lowered temperatures and brought steady rain with occasional bright sunny interludes.
Taupo residents have felt a number of very shallow light earthquakes today, according to Geonet.
New Zealand’s Mt Ngauruhoe volcano was recently upgraded to alert level 1 (some signs of volcano unrest) by GNS Science, following shallow low frequency earthquakes in the past month.
The upgrade was a precautionary measure, as the low frequency earthquakes occurring at the volcano can indicate increased movement of volcanic fluids or magma. As part of the upgrade decision, GNS Science decided to undertake additional monitoring of the volcano.
GNS Science issued an alert bulletin based on recent observations late today indicating that activity at the volcano has eased slightly.
Yesterday’s twin dramas, a massive power failure in Auckland and a solid dump of snow in the South Island, highlight the great divide between town and country.
There are some excellent lessons to be learnt by every New Zealander from both incidents, but it seems likely that they’ll be lost in the acrimonious debate that is already evident as business, politicians and the usual anti-Auckland lobby fire up.
Storm conditions caused by a deep low tracking across the Tasman Sea toward New Zealand have caused disruptions in many parts of the country.
While earthquake activity near Tonga has eased during the past week, two strong earthquakes have occurred near Fiji.
Tawa’s climate during May 2006 was cooler and calmer than 2005, reflecting a return to the cooler temperatures of 2003 and 2004.
An ambitious project to publicise disasters and similar events has been undertaken by the Hungarian Republic.
By using clever software RSOE Havaria presents a global view of events against a world map on its website.
GNS Science announced the raising of the Alert Status at Mt. Ngauruhoe to Level 1 (some signs of unrest) via its Geonet website this afternoon.
The status change results from a significant change in the number and magnitude of low frequency earthquakes being recorded by seismographs around the mountain during the last three weeks.
Earthquake activity in the Kermadecs following the magnitude 7.4 quake 290 km SSW of Raoul Island on May 16th has continued at a low level.
A strong, very deep earthquake struck near Fiji this evening. The quake was magnitude 6.1, 560 km deep and located 415 km south-east of Suva, Fiji at 7:32 p.m. New Zealand Time, according to data released by the US Geological Survey.
The earthquake occurred after a rapid series of 4 shallow earthquakes with magnitudes between 4.9 and 5.1 in the preceding 9 hours near Tonga.