An Intensity 5 struck the Taranaki town of Opunake in New Zealand on Tuesday. Though there were no reported casualties, the Opunake Earthquake jolted residents of the area.
According to Stuff, the Opunake Earthquake shook the town on Tuesday at 5:59am. It was 10km north of the town at the depth of 14km. The Opunake Earthquake was felt in the entire lower part of the North Island.
Geonet classified the Opunake Earthquake as a severe 5.2 magnitude before reducing it to Intensity 5. Aftershocks around the area after the Opunake Earthquake are expected in the next days.
It is highly likely that after the Opunake Earthquake, there will be expected smaller aftershocks over the coming days. It is also a possibility that an earthquake of the same size may happen again according to reports from Geonet.
It was estimated that 2,000 people, residents and tourists alike felt the tremor at around 6:30am. The same size and magnitude as Opunake Earthquake were also felt and measured back in 2015 and a good number of high fours in intensity back in 2013.
The Opunake Earthquake is a good reminder for people to be prepared all the time as bigger earthquakes are possible. New Zealand is one of the countries belonging to the Pacific Ring of Fire so earthquakes are one of the major threats.
A woman in Opunake felt the earthquake describing it that it threw her across the bed. It is good for the lady for having a king-sized bed or else she would've fallen on the floor.
As added by New Zealand Herald, the Opunake Earthquake has shortly been followed by a weak magnitude 2.9 west of Whanganui. Many more are expected around the area.
Civil Defense said it was not aware of any damages that followed after the early morning Opunake Earthquake. Many residents have felt the earthquake and were roused from their sleep. It certainly a reminder for residents in the Pacific Rim of Fire that an earthquake as this, or probably bigger is likely to happen as well.
