The 2016 Te Araroa earthquake was an earthquake measuring 7.1 on the moment magnitude scale that occurred at 04:37:55 NZST on 2 September 2016 (16:37:55 UTC 1 September). The epicentre was located north-east of Te Araroa off the East Cape of the North Island of New Zealand with a focal depth of . The earthquake was widely felt throughout the North Island and in the upper South Island. There were no reported casualties, and buildings predominantly suffered only a little bit of damage.
Earthquake
Foreshock A magnitude 5.7 earthquake was recorded at 10:04:35 NZST on 1 September 2016, one day prior to the main earthquake. DateLocal time (NZST) Magnitude Hypocenter depth Epicentre Location Latitude Longitude1 September 201610:04:355.7100 km north-east of Te Araroa −37.06179.21
Aftershocks A series of aftershocks followed the earthquake, the largest being a magnitude 6.2 earthquake which occurred at 05:15:05 NZST on 2 September. Dozens of smaller aftershocks were also recorded, with 18 measuring magnitude 5.0 or greater as of 4 November 2016. GeoNet forecast the probability of one or more additional aftershocks measuring between 6.0 and 6.9 as 32% for the month to 12 October while the probability of an earthquake greater than or equal to 7.0 was 4% for the same period.
+ Aftershocks of magnitude ≥ 5.0DateLocal time (NZST) Magnitude Hypocenter depth Epicentre Location Latitude Longitude2 September 201604:37:557.1125 km north-east of Te Araroa -36.98179.522 September 201604:48:055.285 km north-east of Te Araroa −37.00178.932 September 201605:01:095.795 km north-east of Te Araroa −37.00179.142 September 201605:14:056.2110 km north-east of Te Araroa −36.91179.212 September 201605:34:275.195 km north-east of Te Araroa −37.13179.232 September 201605:36:035.790 km north-east of Te Araroa −37.09179.152 September 201607:18:285.890 km north-east of Te Araroa −37.05179.102 September 201608:06:036.0125 km east of Te Araroa −37.14179.663 September 201616:30:105.570 km east of Te Araroa −37.36179.113 September 201616:58:365.270 km north-east of Te Araroa −37.26178.994 September 201601:30:265.565 km east of Te Araroa −37.39179.024 September 201618:19:425.095 km north-east of Te Araroa −37.12179.255 September 201608:00:285.155 km east of Te Araroa −37.41178.966 September 201603:19:015.795 km north-east of Te Araroa −37.00179.066 September 201605:01:585.395 km north-east of Te Araroa −37.00179.0815 September 201604:09:295.080 km north-east of Te Araroa −37.13179.0423 September 201617:56:275.165 km east of Te Araroa −37.42179.069 October 201608:41:165.875 km north-east of Te Araroa −37.08178.894 November 201607:45:475.0260 km north-east of Te Araroa −35.98 −179.5814 November 201604:42:455.1120 km north-east of Te Araroa −36.83179.2527 November 201613:18:395.1105 km north-east of Te Araroa −37.08179.31
Aftermath Following the earthquake, the Ministry of Civil Defence & Emergency Management (MCDEM) issued a tsunami warning for parts of the north and east coasts of the North Island. Waves measuring 30 cm in height were recorded by tide gauges at East Cape and Great Barrier Island, and although the warning was later cancelled advisories remained in place for strong currents and abnormal sea level fluctuations.
Power outages temporarily affected 300 homes near Rototahi and Waimata north of Gisborne while KiwiRail issued a precautionary shutdown notice for part of the rail network in Auckland.
While no injuries or significant damage occurred, a spokesperson for the Earthquake Commission said they had received 48 claims for damage compensation by 4:30 pm local time on the day of the earthquake. Damage was localised to coastal towns near the epicentre of the earthquake, including in Te Puia Springs where Puketiti Homestead and Stable, a Category 1 historic building, suffered damage to a chimney and fireplace.
See also List of earthquakes in 2016 List of earthquakes in New Zealand
References
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