GeoNet: Earthquake response

A swarm of shallow earthquakes has occurred in the Okataina Volcanic Centre, Bay of Plenty, this morning – the two largest were a M4.5 and a M4.9. The larger event was widely felt across the upper North Island with more than 5200 felt reports.

See more details here.

We’ve recorded over 68 events since 7.47 am this morning ranging in size from <M2 to M4.9. Okataina Volcanic Centre lies east of Rotorua and is one of two active caldera volcanoes in the Taupo Volcanic Zone.

Earthquake swarms are common in the Taupo Volcanic Zone, especially in the area between Rotorua and Taupo which is tectonically active. The last swarm with quakes of this size within the caldera was in July 2004 located just north near Lake Rotoehu and before that in 1998 just to the south of today’s sequence.

Map showing the felt reports for the largest event this morning

Maps showing shallow earthquake activity in the Taupo Volcanic Zone, since 1990 (left) and the last 24hrs (right)

Remember in an earthquake to 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.

Has your property suffered damage?
If you’ve got damage from the recent earthquake, care for your whānau’s safety first, take photos of any damage, and call your private insurer. Find out more about insurance and claims on the Natural Hazards Commission Toka Tū Ake website.

Earthquake swarm in Okataina Volcanic Centre