A 5.3 magnitude earthquake struck the lower North Island at 11:26 pm on Tuesday, centred 10 kilometres east of Eketāhuna in the Tararua district at a depth of 35 kilometres.
Over 23,000 people reported feeling the quake to Geonet within 30 minutes, with tremors experienced as far as the South Island. Residents in Eketāhuna, Masterton, and Dannevirke described the quake as loud and frightening, with many reporting items falling from shelves.
Social media posts detailed the intensity, with one saying, “Dogs freaked out and stuff all over my kitchen floor,” while another noted a long, loud rumble followed by a powerful jolt. The quake was widely felt in Wellington, Palmerston North, and Whanganui, leaving many shaken but with no major damage reported.
A late evening M5.4 shake occurred in the Wairarapa at 11:26PM and was felt widely by those in the lower and central North Island. We have received over 23,000 felt reports. For more detail 👇https://t.co/T7X3WWd9WE pic.twitter.com/9UxA0R4xCd
— GeoNet (@geonet) January 28, 2025
