A preliminary magnitude earthquake of 7,8 caused a potentially destructive tsunami on Wednesday off New Zealand, according to the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center.
Marine surveys do not provide information on wave heights or when the wall of water is expected to reach shore. "An earthquake of this size has the potential to generate a destructive tsunami that can strike the coasts of the region near the epicenter within minutes or hours," said the Warning Center (PTWC).
The US Geological Survey (USGS) located the epicenter of the strong shaking at some 160km west of Invercargill, off the west coast of the South Island, at a depth of 20,5km. This earthquake was felt all over the island.
In Tuatapere, on the South Island, not far from the epicenter of the earthquake, police reported minor cracks in some buildings and the collapse of products in supermarket shelves. However, there were no casualties in the immediate future. AP
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