Magnitude 4.8 earthquake shakes New Zealand's South Island

A magnitude 4.8 earthquake struck New Zealand's South Island at 8:24 AM local time, centered 10 km south of Seddon at a depth of 9 km. The quake was reported by over 1,300 people, with descriptions ranging from weak to strong, particularly in regions like Marlborough, Nelson, Wellington, and Kāpiti. Residents noted that while the tremor was not severe, it served as a reminder of past significant earthquakes, including the 6.5 quake in 2013 and the 7.8 quake in 2016. Initial reports classified the quake's intensity as moderate, but it has since been upgraded to strong due to the sustained shaking felt by many. Social media users shared their experiences, noting the noticeable shake even from higher floors. Overall, the earthquake has generated awareness and conversations surrounding earthquake preparedness among residents.