Minor offshore earthquake in Rakiraki poses no tsunami threat

A minor offshore earthquake with a shallow depth of 6km located South South-East of Natovi in Tailevu was felt this afternoon.

The Mineral Resources Department’s Seismology Unit says the magnitude 2.7 earthquake does not pose any tsunami threat to the region.

A resident from Ellington, Rakiraki says there have been about 5 earthquakes in the area today.

She says this has been going on for about two weeks.

Mineral Resources Department Acting Director Raymond Mohammed says there is no cause for concern but the team is analysing all these events.

He says people are being advised to remain alert and inform the Department of it.

Mohammed says these are less than magnitude 2 events which is why they are unable to detect it.

The Acting Director says the Seismology Observatory Unit at the Department is operational 27/4 to monitor any seismic event such as these swarms being felt in Ra and are analysing it.

He says all these minor earthquakes are called seismic swarms which are low-magnitude events that can be felt.

Mohammed adds it is normal because of geological formation but it can go on for weeks.