New Zealanders Flee To Hills After Powerful Quakes Cause Tsunami Waves
NEW ZEALANDERS FLEE TO HILLS – Earlier, three offshore quakes ranging from magnitudes 7.2 to 8.1 rocked New Zealand causing tsunami waves to trigger.
On New Zealand’s northern island, small tsunami waves struck close to the shoreline and coastal residences. This caused authorities to evacuate thousands of residents to higher grounds.
Officials warned that the waves could possible reach up to 10 feet above the high tide levels. However, the largest wave already hit according to the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA).
Because of this, authorities had now downgraded the threat level. Furthermore “all people who evacuated can now return”, said authorities.
Based on an article from ABS-CBN, scientists determined that the cause of the quakes was tectonic movement on the boundary of the Australian and Pacific plates. Moreover, this area is part of the “Pacific Ring of Fire” which New Zealand belongs to.
Earthquakes can occur both in land and underwater. Usually, underwater earthquakes are caused by shifting tectonic plates. Additionally, these movements can cause massive tsunami to occur which poses threats to coastal areas.
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