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Tsunami threat passes after NZ quake

Tsunami waves of 30cm have hit the east coast of New Zealand’s North Island following a massive undersea earthquake.

Sep 02, 2016, updated Sep 02, 2016
A US Geological Survey map showing the location (marked with star) of the 7.1-magnitude earthquake.

A US Geological Survey map showing the location (marked with star) of the 7.1-magnitude earthquake.

Civil Defence said the worst had now passed, but people were still being urged to stay away from the coast and waterways from Northland down to south of Gisborne this morning.

The  7.1-magnitude quake struck at a depth of 55km, 130km north-east of Te Araroa about 4.37am, with a series of aftershocks continuing through the morning. A 30cm wave was measured at East Cape and Great Barrier Island.

Just before 8.30am Civil Defence cancelled its tsunami marine and beach threat warning.

“Based on all available data, the greatest tsunami activity has now passed,” it said.

“However, coasts may still experience unusual, strong currents and sea level fluctuations lasting for several more hours.”

Earlier, it said East Cape, Bay of Plenty and Gisborne would experience waves and currents of less than 20cm.

People in Gisborne, who were earlier told to seek higher ground, were told return to their homes.

In Auckland the Britomart train station was earlier shut down as a precaution – causing large disruption to morning commutes.

Gisborne controller John Clarke said surges of about 30cm had been recorded at Gisborne port and the gauge at East Cape, “which enforces the need for people to stay away from the coast”.

Dan Hood, from Kanakania on the East Coast, said he was woken by the shakes.

“The scary part was wondering if there was a big jolt coming, or whether it was just going to subside and disappear,” he told RadioLive.

More than 4000 people, from as far south as Christchurch and the West Coast, reported feeling the 7.1 quake.

However, the Fire Service said there were no reports of damage.

-AAP

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