A local magnitude 6.2 earthquake has struck off the southwest coast of the South Island of New Zealand. The earthquake occurred at 5:13 UTC and was preceded by two minor foreshocks (approx. M3) at 4:41 UTC and 4:45 UTC. The quake had a focal depth of about 10 kilometres (24 kilometres according to GEOFON) and occurred 140 kilometres west of Tuatapere. This is the largest earthquake in the Puysegur region since the 17th December 2013 M6.2 earthquake. The earthquake has gained over 900 felt reports on GeoNet, with the maximum observed intensity MM6 at Tuatapere. The furthest afield report has come from Westport, on the north-west coast of the South Island. USGS has received an MM5 report from Lumsden, which is perhaps slightly higher than the observations made by GeoNet reporters (MM4 in that town). In recent weeks (since the M5.1 on the 16th September - geonet.org.nz/quakes/region/newzealand/2014p698376) there has been an increase in seismic activity in the Fiordland region which seemed to suggest a large event of over magnitude 6 was going to occur before the end of the year. This event may well be just that large event, although it may only be over magnitude 6 in regards to GeoNet and not international agencies (see below). The earthquake has had several aftershocks according to GeoNet, with the largest a preliminary magnitude 4.4 at 5:26 UTC (29 felt reports) and a preliminary magnitude 4.7 at 6:23 UTC (11 felt reports). More aftershocks over magnitude 4 are to be expected in the coming hours and days. GeoNet: geonet.org.nz/quakes/2014p770859 USGS: earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/eventpage/usb000slgy#scientific_moment-tensor GEOFON: geofon.gfz-potsdam.de/data/alerts/2014/gfz2014ubcs/mt.txt GEOSCOPE: geoscope.ipgp.fr/index.php/en/catalog/earthquake-description?seis=usb000slgy
Posted on: Mon, 13 Oct 2014 07:42:38 +0000
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