New Zealand reports 5.9 quake in remote Kermadec region

A magnitude 5.9 earthquake struck the Kermadec Islands region northeast of New Zealand on Thursday morning, July 30, according to Earth Sciences New Zealand.

The islands lie approximately 800 to 1,000 kilometres northeast of the North Island.

The quake was recorded shortly before 10:30 a.m., about 200 kilometres from Raoul Island, Geohazards duty officer Sheng Lin-Lin said.

There were no immediate reports of damage, and checks of GeoNet monitoring instruments found all systems functioning as usual, Lin-Lin said.

Officials also reported no observed tsunami signal or unusual changes in sea levels following the tremor.

Lin-Lin noted that while the earthquake did not have a significant impact, it served as a reminder that strong seismic activity can occur in the region and across Aotearoa.

No Earth Sciences personnel were present on Raoul Island at the time, and the agency said it was not aware of anyone else being there. New Zealand’s Department of Conservation (DOC) also said it had no staff or contractors visiting the islands and no records of any other agencies, researchers or visitors in the area.

By Tamilla Hasanova