A moderately strong earthquake struck near Rotorua early this afternoon.
The magnitude 5.6 earthquake, which struck at 12:13 p.m. on Sunday the 19th of October 2008, was located 10 km north of Ngongotaha (20 km north of Rotorua) at a depth of 200 km.
The earthquake’s location and great depth meant it was unlikely to have been felt locally. However, the energy released deep within the Pacific Plate by the event has been felt at some locations along eastern coasts of the North Island.
Reports of the earthquake being felt have been filed from Gisborne, Hawke’s Bay and the Wellington region.
[Compiled from data provided by the GeoNet project and its sponsors EQC, GNS Science and FRST.]