An earthquake measuring 6.7 on the Richter scale and located 60 km west of Milford Sound has closed the only road to this popular tourist destination for the second day running. Department of Conservation Staff say that the quake together with the recent 1.5m of snow have made avalanche risk on the highway an unacceptable risk.
Although only minor damage has been reported, trampers, holiday makers and residents of both Te Anau and Milford have reported that the quake lasted over 40 seconds and was strong enough to wake people from sleep when it struck at 1.28am.
A strong after shock was felt over the lower South Island. The after shock of magnitude 6.2 was among dozens that have been recorded since Tuesdays major advent.
Fiordland is New Zealand’s most active earthquake region.