Magnitude 4.8 quake felt on both New Zealand islands

World

2025-03-21 04:00:00

Abstract: A 4.8 magnitude earthquake hit New Zealand's South Island, near Seddon, at 8:24 a.m. local time. Felt widely, tremors reached Rakaia and Palmerston North.

A magnitude 4.8 earthquake struck New Zealand's South Island. The earthquake occurred at 8:24 a.m. local time (6:24 a.m. Australian Eastern Daylight Time) with a depth of 9 kilometers, and the epicenter was located 10 kilometers south of Seddon.

According to GeoNet records, the earthquake was strongly felt, with over 1200 people reporting they felt it within minutes of the event. The earthquake's impact was widespread, with tremors felt as far south as Rakaia and as far north as Palmerston North on the North Island.

A resident living on the sixth floor described it as a "violent shaking." This highlights the intensity of the earthquake experienced by those in close proximity to the epicenter.