16 Feb 2016

'Severe' quake hits south of NZ

11:20 am on 16 February 2016

A magnitude 6 earthquake in the ocean south of New Zealand has been felt in the South Island.

The earthquake, at 8.28am, hit 160km south-west of Snares Islands, GeoNet said. It was at a depth of 10km.

GeoNet classed the intensity as "severe" and said it had been felt in New Zealand, mainly in the lower South Island.

The Snares Islands are the northernmost of New Zealand's subantarctic islands, lying about 100km southwest of Stewart Island.

Map showing location of quake and of where the quake was felt.

The quake struck at 8.28m and was at a depth of 10km. Photo: GeoNet

There are no reports of damage from the quake.

The Department of Conservation office in Invercargill said the quake created a rolling motion there and some staff dived under their desks.

DOC said it had no staff on Snares Island, but it did have staff on the Auckland Islands further south and they had not reported any problems.