A significant 6.9-magnitude earthquake struck near Ruatoria, Gisborne District, Gisborne, New Zealand. The tremor was recorded early morning on Friday 5 March 2021 at 1:27 am local time, at an intermediate depth of 81.8 km below the surface.
Based on the preliminary seismic data, the quake should have been widely felt by almost everyone in the area of the epicenter. It might have caused light to moderate damage. Moderate shaking probably occurred in Ruatoria (pop. 900) located 103 km from the epicenter.
