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7.2 Magnitude Earthquake Hits Iraq, Felt in Surrounding Countries
Tremors felt as far away as in the UAE and Kuwait
Tremors could be felt as far away as in the UAE after a 7.2 magnitude earthquake struck Northern Iraq.
The quake struck 103 km southeast of the city of Sulaymaniyah, the US Geological Survey said. Reuters reported that while the USGS initially said the quake was of a magnitude 7.2, it revised it to 7.3. However on the USGS website it showed its magnitude as 7.2 and status as “reviewed”.
According to the USGS, the quake struck at 10.18pm, at a depth of 33.9km. The extent of damage and casualties were unknown last night.
Witnesses said buildings being evacuated as they shook violently. Areas affected by the tremor included Erbil, Duhok and Halabja.
Aftershocks and tremors were reportedly as far a field as Kuwait. Residents in the UAE took to social media to report they felt the tremors.
thenational.ae
Main Headline Image:A handout photo made available by the US Geological Survey (USGS) on Sunday shows a intensity shake map of a 7.2-magnitude earthquake at the Iraqi-Iranian border region near Halabjah, Iraq USGS
Strong Earthquake ROCKS New Zealand’s Capital, Causes Panic
HUNDREDS of thousands of people have been rocked by a strong earthquake in New Zealand’s capital.
The magnitude 4.7 quake Wellington at around 11pm local time (10am UK time).
Although the epicentre was 26km west of the capital, locals said it was felt strongly in the city.
One local wrote on Twitter: “Holy s**t just felt that earthquake (I’m in Wellington). Gave me a big fright!”
Another said: “Just had one heck of a good shake here in Wellington, hotel rocking and rolling, hope everyone is OK”
The city is home to 412,000 people, more than the 396,000 living in Christchurch where a devastating quake struck six years ago.
This quake left 185 dead in what became New Zealand’s fifth deadliest disaster.
Today’s seismic movement also came, eerily, almost exactly a year since two were killed after a magnitude 7.8 quake struck nearby Kaikoura.
New Zealand is prone to earthquakes as the country sits on major fault lines along the Ring of Fire.
This is a belt running around the Pacific Ocean where a large number of earthquakes and volcanic eruptions occur.
Fortunately no reports of serious injuries have emerged from today’s quake in Wellington.
Nicholas Bieber
Dailystar UK
Thanks to: https://bendedreality.com
