Powerful magnitude 8.1 earthquake rattles New Zealand prompting tsunami warning

A string of powerful earthquakes has New Zealand emergency officials on tsunami watch.

On Friday, a magnitude 8.1 quake struck in the ocean off the country's northeast coastline.

It was the third large quake to strike within hours.

3 very strong earthquakes have struck near New Zealand within 6 hours of one another. The 8.1 #earthquake has prompted a #Tsunami watch for Hawaii. The potential threat is still being evaluated there and for the west coast of North America by the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center. pic.twitter.com/yaaanJLw2M

— Ed Piotrowski (@EdPiotrowski) March 4, 2021

An offshore magnitude 7.3 quake awoke many people during the night and a third magnitude 7.4 struck shortly after in the same region.

New Zealand’s National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) told people in certain areas on the East Coast of the North Island they should move immediately to higher ground and not stay in their homes.

TSUNAMI WARNING issued following Kermadecs earthquake. People near coast from the BAY OF ISLANDS to WHANGAREI, from MATATA to TOLAGA BAY, and GREAT BARRIER ISLAND must MOVE IMMEDIATELY to nearest high ground, out of all tsunami evacuation zones, or as far inland as possible

— National Emergency Management Agency (@NZcivildefence) March 4, 2021

While the quakes triggered tsunami warning systems, none of them appeared to pose a widespread threat to lives or major infrastructure.

British Columbia also issued a tsunami advisory, saying the US National Tsunami Warning Center is analyzing the event to determine the level of danger.

Tsunami risk being assessed due to 8.0M earthquake in the Kermadec Islands region, north of New Zealand.

Stand by for #BC specific info. https://t.co/izVbsXCC6U

— Emergency Info BC (@EmergencyInfoBC) March 4, 2021

There were no immediate reports of damage from either earthquake.