M6.8 earthquake - south of the Kermadec Islands

What happened

A magnitude 6.8 earthquake struck south of the Kermadec Islands on 8 Jan 1970, 17:12 UTC at a depth of 199 km.

Earthquakes of this size are classed as Strong. Can cause damage in populated areas up to tens of kilometres away. This was an intermediate-depth earthquake, so shaking is spread over a wider, gentler area.