M6.1 earthquake - south of the Kermadec Islands

What happened

A magnitude 6.1 earthquake struck south of the Kermadec Islands on 16 Aug 1987, 21:38 UTC at a depth of 74 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.