New Zealand Earthquake Today: 6.3-Magnitude Quake Triggers Tsunami Warning

A powerful 6.3-magnitude earthquake struck near Te Anau on New Zealand’s South Island on Thursday evening, triggering an immediate tsunami warning that prompted emergency alerts and evacuations along parts of the Fiordland coast before authorities later downgraded the threat to a marine advisory.

The earthquake hit at 9:14 p.m. local time, with its epicenter about 40 kilometers (25 miles) north of Te Anau at a depth of roughly 53 kilometers, according to New Zealand’s geological monitoring agency, GeoNet.

Strong shaking was reported across Southland, Otago and parts of Canterbury, with thousands of people reporting they felt the quake within minutes.

Tsunami warning issued, then downgraded

Within minutes of the quake, New Zealand’s National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) issued a tsunami warning for the South Island’s west coast between Milford Sound and Puysegur Point, warning that land inundation was possible and instructing people in evacuation zones to move immediately to higher ground or as far inland as possible.

Emergency mobile alerts were also sent to residents in affected areas.

As additional seismic data became available, officials revised the earthquake’s magnitude to 5.9 and downgraded the tsunami warning to a marine advisory, saying widespread coastal flooding was no longer expected.

However, authorities stressed that strong and unusual ocean currents and unpredictable surges remain dangerous, urging people to stay away from beaches, harbors, rivers and estuaries until the advisory is lifted.

Officials urge caution despite reduced threat

Emergency Management Southland said people who evacuated after feeling the prolonged shaking had “done the right thing.”

“If you felt it and thought, ‘Wow, that’s a long, strong earthquake, I’ll get gone,’ then you’ve done the right thing,” the agency said, while warning that hazardous currents could continue for the next several days around Fiordland’s coastline.

Local authorities also advised motorists to exercise caution, warning that the earthquake may have loosened rocks and debris on roads and near bridges.

Engineers were scheduled to inspect key infrastructure, including the Edith Cavell Bridge near Te Anau, as a precaution.

Aftershocks follow in a seismically active region

Several smaller aftershocks were recorded following the main quake, adding to concerns in the region.

There were no immediate reports of deaths or major structural damage, though emergency officials continued assessing affected communities.

New Zealand lies on the Pacific Ring of Fire, where the Pacific and Australian tectonic plates meet, making the country one of the world’s most earthquake-prone regions.

While many earthquakes cause little damage, authorities routinely urge residents to follow the country’s “Long or Strong, Get Gone” guidance, moving immediately to higher ground after a long or powerful coastal earthquake without waiting for an official warning.