A moderate earthquake magnitude 5.5 (ml/mb) strikes 245 km NE of Raoul Island, New Zealand (152 miles) on Friday. Exact location of event, longitude -176.2526 West, latitude -27.598 South, depth = 10 km.
The 5.5-magnitude earthquake has occurred at 05:53:33 / 5:53 am (local time epicenter).
Although Raoul is the only island in the Kermadec group large enough to support settlement, it lacks a safe harbour, and landings from small boats can only be made in calm weather. The island consists of two mountainous areas, one with summits of 516 metres (1,693 ft) and 498 metres (1,634 ft), and the other with a summit of 465 metres (1,526 ft), the two separated by a depression which is the caldera of the Raoul volcano.
Considering offshore islets and rocks, the northernmost island of New Zealand is Nugent Island, about 100 metres (328 ft) in diameter, located 3.6 km (2.2 mi) northeast of Raoul Island. The coordinates of the northernmost point are 29°13′52″S 177°52′09″W. Napier Island stretches almost as far north as Nugent Island, which reaches just a few metres further north.
Via Earthquake News / Wikipedia
