Wellington, Aug 22: A massive 7.1-magnitude earthquake struck under the coast of southern New Zealand early today, New Zealand's Institute of Geological and Nuclear Sciences said. It was felt across southern New Zealand but emergency services had no immediate reports of casualties or major damage.
The quake, about 20-km deep, was under the Fiordland Coast of South Island, 70-km southwest of the tourist town of Te Anau, the institute reported. First reports say buildings rocked sharply as the quake continued for up to three minutes, tossing goods from mantels and shelves around the farming and tourism region. Residents in the region reported electric power supplies were cut in some rural areas, and phone services disrupted. Bureau Report