New Zealand 7.8 earthquake (USGS map)

The largest of several earthquakes in the South Pacific recently

Story from USGS

An earthquake measuring 7.8 on the Richter Scale occurred off the south west coast of New Zealand at 45.721°S, 166.643°E 8:22:32 PM at epicenter. (05:22:32 AM (EDT) – Eastern Daylight)

This is the 18th earthquake measuring 4.0 or greater in the area since July 9, 2009. The area has been seismically active for hundreds of years. In 1883 the Indonesian island of Krakatoa erupted with 15,000 times the force of the first atom bomb dropped on Hiroshima.

Effects reported range from strong to light

A tsunami warning has been issued for the coast of Australia including Sydney. No news of a tsunami has been noted. No warning has been issued for the US West Coast or Alaska.

At 2:23 AM Pacific Daylight Time on July 15, an earthquake with preliminary magnitude 7.8
occurred off the west coast of South Island, New Zealand. (Refer to the United States Geological
Survey for official earthquake parameters.)

The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center in Ewa Beach, Hawaii will issue a tsunami warning for regions near the epicenter. USGS

The epicenter is at an ocean depth of 21.7 miles.

Local distances from the epicentre are 150 km (95 miles) WNW of Invercargill, New Zealand, 175 km (110 miles) WSW of Queenstown, New Zealand and 825 km (510 miles) SW of WELLINGTON, New Zealand.

The Hawaii-based Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre issued a warning, saying: “An earthquake of this size has the potential to generate a destructive tsunami that can strike coastlines in the region near the epicentre within minutes to hours.” AFP