Quake would have devastated Wellington

Capital would become 'virtual islands in a sea of emptiness'

The massive earthquake in Fiordland last night would have caused ''destruction on a massive scale'' if it had struck near Wellington, a council leader says.

The 7.8 quake, which was centred 100km northwest of Tuatapere at 12km deep, struck at 9.22pm and triggered an alert from the Pacific tsunami warning centre in Hawaii.

There were no immediate reports of major damage from the quake, which was felt widely throughout the South Island and as far north as Taranaki.

''Luckily the earthquake occurred in a very remote area and caused little damage to buildings and infrastructure, but it was another timely reminder for residents in our region to be ready should this happen to us,'' Greater Wellington Regional Council chairwoman Fran Wilde said today.

''In a quake of this size, buildings would collapse killing, injuring and trapping hundreds, even thousands of people,'' she said.

Essential services such as water, sewage, electricity, gas and telecommunications would also be affected.

Ms Wilde said in a large quake Wellington could be cut off, creating ''virtual islands in a sea of emptiness''.

Civil Defence and other emergency management agencies had planned for search and  rescue, medical and health issues, sanitation and the restoration of lifeline services.

''However, people need to realise that they may be on their own for at least three days, probably much longer depending on the severity of the event,'' she said.

- NZPA