The temblor was one of three powerful earthquakes that were recorded within eight hours off New Zealand, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.
Parts of New Zealand were evacuated on Friday after an 8.1-magnitude earthquake struck in the South Pacific, prompting officials to issue tsunami warnings for coastal areas. The earthquake was recorded early Friday morning near the Kermadec Islands, which are between Tonga and New Zealand’s North Island, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center urged the public in the region to be vigilant and to closely monitor the situation. “Tsunami waves have been observed,” the center said, adding that based on available data, “hazardous tsunami waves are forecast for some coasts.” Following evacuation orders and warnings to move away from the coast, thousands of New Zealanders fled to higher ground, walking, driving and riding bicycles. Several towns near the country’s northern coast emptied out within a few hours of tsunami warnings via sirens or text messages from the government.
