A powerful 5.7 magnitude earthquake rattled New Zealand's North Island early this morning, sending tremors through the capital Wellington and surrounding regions.
The quake struck at a depth of 48km (30 miles) about 50km north of Levin at approximately 7:16am local time, according to GeoNet, New Zealand's geological hazard monitoring system.
Residents Awakened by Violent Shaking
Thousands of residents reported being jolted awake by the violent shaking, which lasted for several seconds. Social media quickly flooded with accounts of the experience, with many describing it as one of the strongest quakes they've felt in years.
"The whole house was swaying like we were on a boat," reported one Wellington resident via Facebook. "Books fell off shelves and pictures swung violently on the walls."
No Immediate Reports of Damage
Despite the significant magnitude, emergency services have reported no immediate damage or injuries. Civil Defence authorities confirmed they were assessing the situation but hadn't received any distress calls.
GeoNet classified the quake as "severe" but noted that the depth likely prevented more serious consequences. The organisation recorded over 15,000 "felt reports" within the first hour after the event.
Aftershocks Expected
Seismologists warn that aftershocks are likely in the coming days, though most are expected to be significantly weaker than the initial quake. Residents are advised to:
- Secure heavy furniture that might topple in future tremors
- Prepare emergency kits with essential supplies
- Identify safe spots in their homes and workplaces
New Zealand sits on the seismically active Pacific Ring of Fire and experiences about 15,000 earthquakes annually, though most are too small to be felt.
