The first M4.8 earthquake occurred at 6:54PM on Thurs 8 June, with the second M4.8 occurring at 12:00AM on Friday 9 June. Both M4.8 quakes were felt primarily around the Hawke’s Bay region, while the rest in this sequence have been smaller and not been felt by many. All the earthquakes are relatively shallow and have occurred just off the coast.

Pōrangahau is located along the east coast of the North Island, where the Hikurangi Subduction Zone - the boundary between the Australian and Pacific Plates - drives much of the earthquake activity.

The sequence of earthquakes over the past couple of days, including the two most recent M4.8 events, is similar to and likely related to a sequence recorded back in April, which included a magnitude 5.9 earthquake within 5km of Pōrangahau that was closely followed by a M5.4 aftershock. The current earthquakes are offshore, further east, than the April sequence, but both are consistent with the plate boundary subduction zone in the region.

The Pōrangahau region also experiences Slow Slip events (SSE) which are like earthquakes in slow motion, unfolding over weeks to months, and they cannot be felt by humans. There is active research to understand the relationship between seismicity and SSEs throughout the Hikurangi subduction zone.

These earthquakes are a good reminder that earthquakes can happen at any time in New Zealand and all New Zealanders, including those from Pōrangahau, should be prepared.

Want to learn more?

• Read: The Hikurangi Subduction Zone
• Watch: What is a slow slip earthquake?
• View: Slow Sip watch via our GNSS instruments

Earthquakes can occur anywhere in New Zealand at any time. In the event of a large earthquake: Drop, Cover and Hold.

Remember Long or Strong, Get Gone : If you are near the coast and feel a strong earthquake that makes it hard to stand up OR a weak rolling earthquake that lasts a minute or more move immediately to the nearest high ground or as far inland as you can, out of tsunami evacuation zones.

Know what to do?

The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has a great website with information on what to do before, during and after an earthquake.

Prepare your home. Protect your whānau.

There’s a lot we can do to make our homes safer and stronger for natural disasters. Toka Tū Ake EQC’s website has key steps to get you started.

Media Contact: 021 574 541 or media@gns.cri.nz