5.3 magnitude earthquake hits New Zealand as second volcano eruption expected
A 5.3 magnitude earthquake has struck off New Zealand’s east coast just one day after a volcano eruption on White Island killed five people.
Residents in Whakatane, the closest town to the volcano, reportedly felt the 29km deep earthquake, which occurred 20kms off the coast of Gisborne, around 1pm (local time) on Tuesday.
The earthquake is unrelated to the eruption and did not generate a tsunami, GeoNet said.
The volcano eruption occurred just after 2pm (local time) on Monday and is predicted to explode again in the next 24 hours, experts have warned.
Geoff Kilgour, a duty volcanologist with GNS Science, made the prediction on Tuesday morning, warning steam and gas is still coming from the vent area.
“Since the eruption, seismic activity has dropped to low levels and there has been no further eruptive activity. However, we are still observing localised steam and mud jetting from the active vent area,” he said.
“Over the next 24 hours we estimate an equal likelihood of either no eruption or a smaller/similar sized eruption that would impact the main crater floor.
The Volcanic Alert Level remains at Level 3.
Three Australians are feared to be among five people killed in by the volcanic eruption on White Island on Monday, Prime Minister Scott Morrison says.
The PM confirmed 24 Aussies, between the ages of 17 and 72, were visiting the island at the time on a cruise ship tour.
Eleven Australians are still unaccounted for and 13 others have been hospitalised.
"This is a very, very hard day for a lot of Australian families whose loved ones have been caught up in this terrible, terrible tragedy," Mr Morrison said in Sydney on Tuesday.
"I fear there is worse news to come over the course of perhaps today or over the next few days," Mr Morrison said.
"This is a terrible tragedy, a time of great innocence and joy interrupted by the horror of that eruption."
Thirty-one people were admitted to hospital, at least three stayed overnight.
Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@yahoonews.com.
You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter and download the Yahoo News app from the App Store or Google Play.
