Massive 6.5 Magnitude Earthquake Rocks New Zealand’s South Island

Wellington (The Uttam Hindu): A powerful earthquake has struck New Zealand, with a magnitude of 6.5 on the Richter scale. The earthquake hit the western coast of the South Island of New Zealand. According to experts, an earthquake with an intensity between 6.0 and 6.9 on the Richter scale can cause the foundation of buildings to crack. However, no casualties have been reported so far.

Emergency alert messages were sent out to residents following the afternoon earthquake in the lower South Island. The quake struck at 2:43 PM. Minister of Emergency Management and Recovery, Mark Mitchell, stated that an alert had been issued for the lower part of the South Island.

According to the US Geological Survey (USGS), the eastern edge of the Australian Plate, where it converges with the Pacific Plate, is one of the most seismically active regions in the world due to the high rate of plate convergence. Mark Mitchell also urged people on social media platform X not to leave their homes, as there is a potential risk of another earthquake near the coastline.

Earthquakes are natural occurrences that result from stress and activity within the Earth's internal structure. In India, earthquakes are primarily caused by tectonic activity in the Himalayan region, where the Indian Plate collides with the Eurasian Plate, creating immense pressure. This is why states such as Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, and the northeastern region of India are considered highly earthquake-prone zones.

The movement, collision, uplift, and subsidence of tectonic plates generate continuous stress between them. If minor earthquakes occur frequently, they help release accumulated energy, potentially reducing the risk of a major earthquake. However, if the stress between these plates increases significantly, the energy builds up, and when released suddenly, it can lead to a devastating earthquake.Massive 6.5 Magnitude Earthquake Rocks New Zealand’s South Island