National Emergency Management Agency advises what to do if caught near the shore during an earthquake. Video / NZGetReady
Three earthquakes, felt by thousands, have struck off the East Coast of the North Island within minutes of each other this evening.
The first shake, measuring magnitude 5.6, struck 135km north of Te Kaha at 8pm at a depth of 5km.
An evening shake for the upper North Island, with an M5.6 earthquake with weak shaking occurring at 8:00pm in the Bay of Plenty. The quake was 5km deep and was felt across the north-east coast of the North Island. We have received over 2000 felt reports https://t.co/ElKxQ6n1z8pic.twitter.com/TqVmo0dLs1
It was felt by about 2000 people across thenortheast coast of the North Island, including residents in Matua, Aongatete, Te Puna, Ōtūmoetai and Whitianga, according to GeoNet.
It was followed by a magnitude 4.2 tremor about five minutes later, this time 110km northwest of Te Kaha at a depth of 33km. The second quake was felt by about 1000 people.
Both quakes were described as “weak” by GeoNet.
Residents in the Coromandel and western Bay of Plenty regions have flocked to Facebook to report their experiences.
Two initial earthquakes struck within minutes of each other north of Te Kaha. Photo / Geonet
In Bethlehem, one social media user said their dog “ran out barking” as the shaking hit, with blind cords and lamp shades moving inside.
In Paeroa, one person said their husband thought it was the washing machine “spinning out of control”.
