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Thousands of New Zealanders forced to evacuate following a series of strong earthquakes in the area on Friday can return home, authorities have said.
An 8.1-magnitude earthquake struck about 8.30am (local time) near the Kermadec Islands, some 800 kilometres off the northeast coast of New Zealand’s North Island.
It followed a 7.4-magnitude quake in the same area, and a 7.3-magnitude quake that struck off the east coast of New Zealand in the early hours of Friday.
The National Emergency Management Authority urged New Zealanders in parts of the east coast of the North Island to evacuate due to the risk of a tsunami.
However, the largest waves had now passed and the threat level could be lowered, the authority said.




“All people who evacuated can now return. The advice remains to stay off beach and shore areas.”
Strong and unusual currents and unpredictable surges could still be present.
“Strong currents and surges can injure and drown people. There is a danger to swimmers, surfers, people fishing, small boats and anyone in or near the water close to shore.”
Surge activity had been seen in “multiple locations” along the Northland coast, the authority said in an emergency alert sent to Northland residents.
“It’s hard not to feel like our country is having a run of bad luck, when you have an earthquake, tsunami and pandemic to contend with all in one day,” New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said.
Japan quake evokes memories of deadly Fukushima disaster in 2011
Civil Defence Minister Kiritapu Allan said it had been an “extraordinary morning” for New Zealand.
“This has been a dynamic event that is constantly evolving,” Allan told a media conference.
GNS scientist Bill Fry said there was no way Friday’s earthquakes could have been predicted.
“After that, when you see a big earthquake like this we know we’re more likely to see another earthquake like that, so we’re particularly vigilant.”
Fry said the earliest earthquake was felt by a vast majority of New Zealanders.




















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A post shared by Jacinda Ardern (@jacindaardern)



The Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre warned hazardous tsunami waves were still possible across large parts of the Pacific, including the Cook Islands, Fiji, New Caledonia, Niue, Pitcairn Islands, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Vanuatu and Wallis and Futuna.
A tsunami marine warning was issued for Norfolk Island, with authorities warning there was a possibility of dangerous rips, waves and currents.
There were no immediate reports of injuries or significant damage from any of the quakes.
New Zealand’s Department of Conservation has a research base at Raoul Island, which is part of the Kermadec Islands.
However, there were currently no researchers, staff or contractors on the island during the quakes, the department said.
In February, New Zealand marked 10 years since a major Christchurch earthquake that left 185 people dead.


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Earthquakes

New Zealand tsunami threat downgraded after strong Pacific earthquakes

Waves are seen at Ninety Mile Beach in New Zealand. Several powerful earthquakes have struck off the east coast of New Zealand's North Island, shaking residents as far away as Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch. Photo: DPA

Japan earthquake: bullet trains suspended, water and power disruptions in Fukushima, Miyagi

A Shinkansen N700A series, or high speed bullet train, is pictured arriving in Tokyo. Services to the northeastern parts of the country have been affected following a powerful earthquake over the weekend. Photo: AFP

epa09011264 Residents collect damaged roof tiles which were broken by a powerful magnitude 7.3 earthquake in Soma, Fukushima Prefecture, northern Japan, 14 February 2021. A powerful earthquake hit northern Japan around midnight on 13 February 2021. More than 120 people have been reported injured in the quake. The Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO) has reported no damages at its Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant and Fukushima Daini Nuclear Power Plant. More than 900,000 homes suffered from a power outage, which has been almost restored, according to TEPCO and Tohoku Electric Power. EPA-EFE/KIMIMASA MAYAMA

A house is seen damaged in Koori, Fukushima Prefecture, on Feb. 15, 2021, following a magnitude 7.3 earthquake that hit northeastern Japan on Feb. 13. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

This handout satellite image released by Maxar Technologies shows a close up overview of a landslide on Joban Expressway near Soma City, Japan on February 14, 2021. - A 7.3-magnitude earthquake off Fukushima in eastern Japan injured more than 100 people, authorities said on February 14, 2021, nearly a decade after the region suffered a devastating quake, tsunami and nuclear meltdown. No casualties have been reported after the late-night quake in the Pacific, which did not trigger a tsunami, and no abnormalities were observed at the stricken Fukushima nuclear plant. (Photo by Handout / Satellite image ©2021 Maxar Technologies / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE - MANDATORY CREDIT "AFP PHOTO / Satellite image ©2021 Maxar Technologies " - NO MARKETING - NO ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS - DISTRIBUTED AS A SERVICE TO CLIENTS - The watermark may not be removed/cropped / THE WATERMARK MAY NOT BE REMOVED/CROPPED

Magnitude-5.9 earthquake jolts countries from Tajikistan to India

Residents carrying their children stand on a road after vacating their houses following an earthquake in Srinagar, India on Friday. Photo: Reuters

Indonesia earthquake: damaged roads, power outages hamper hunt for survivors

People react as the body of a relative is recovered from the rubble of a quake-hit building in Mamuju, Indonesia. Photo: AP

An aerial picture shows damaged governor of West Sulawesi province's office following an earthquake in Mamuju, West Sulawesi, Indonesia, January 16, 2021 in this photo taken by Antara Foto. Antara Foto/Sigid Kurniawan/ via REUTERS ATTENTION EDITORS - THIS IMAGE WAS PROVIDED BY A THIRD PARTY. MANDATORY CREDIT. INDONESIA OUT.

epa08930971 A handout picture provided by the Vatican Media shows Pope Francis delivering the Angelus prayer from the Library of the Apostolic Palace in Vatican City, 10 January 2021 (issued 11 January 2021). EPA-EFE/VATICAN MEDIA HANDOUT HANDOUT EDITORIAL USE ONLY/NO SALES

Rescuers evacuate a quake survivor pulled out from the ruin of a collapsed building in Mamuju, Indonesia. Photo: EPA-EFE

News

Asia

Australasia


Authorities said the largest waves had now passed and all people evacuated could now return
Thousands of New Zealanders in North Island were evacuated to higher ground after three earthquakes triggered tsunami warnings



Authorities said the largest waves had now passed and all people evacuated could now return.


Natural disasters

New Zealand

Environment