A magnitude 5.9 earthquake rattled Milford Sound, in the tourist hotspot of Fiordland in New Zealand’s South Island on Thursday, government seismic monitor Geonet said.
Thousands of people in the area registered as having felt the earthquake, which was very shallow at a depth of 5km (3 miles), but there were no immediate reports of damage or injuries.
Shaking was felt throughout lower South Island in areas including Queenstown, Wanaka, Te Anau, Alexandra and Dunedin.
It was followed by further smaller magnitude earthquakes.
The spectacular Milford Sound on the west coast of the South Island was carved out by ancient glaciers and features towering mountains, waterfalls, and rare marine habitats.
New Zealand lies on the seismically active “Ring of Fire”, a 40,000-km (24,855-mile) arc of volcanoes and ocean trenches girdling much of the Pacific Ocean.
The city of Christchurch, also in the South Island, is still recovering from a 6.3 magnitude quake in 2011 that killed 185 people.
In 2016, a 7.8 magnitude tremor hit the South Island town of Kaikoura, killing two and causing billions of dollars worth of damage, including in the capital of Wellington.
Latest Stories
-
Paramount Chief of Gwollu reported dead
3 days -
Papaase residents kick against alleged plans to mine on River Kantango
3 days -
Paris Olympic hopes hang in the balance as Ghana’s 4×100 relay team drops baton at World Relays
3 days -
Western Regional House of Chiefs commends Bawumia for his humility and respect for traditional authorities
3 days -
#JustTurned18: First-time voters critical to deciding 2024 presidential election
3 days -
Video: EC lied that the cost per voter in 2020 was $7.7; it was $12.5 – Bright Simons
3 days -
Former IGP passes on
3 days -
Ejisu by-election: Kwadaso MP gave money to EC officials out of goodwill – Ahiagbah
3 days -
Millennium City: Land owner breaks silence on fatal shooting of soldier
3 days -
Photos of 2024 Aboakyer Festival
3 days -
#JustTurned18: I now have an opportunity to use my thumb to bring someone into power – Excited prospective voters
3 days -
OSP acted as a whistleblower transferring Cecilia Dapaah’s case to EOCO – Sammy Darko
3 days -
IMF calls for tariff adjustment for energy sector cost recovery
3 days -
Samson’s Take: Journalists, block the pretentious idiots
3 days -
Real Madrid crowned LaLiga champions after Barcelona’s defeat at Girona
3 days