Tsunami warning downgraded after Fiordland quake revised to 5.9

<p>The tsunami warning issued after a strong earthquake near Te Anau has been downgraded to an advisory, after authorities revised the quake's magnitude from 6.3 to 5.9.</p> <p>The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) says coastal inundation is not expected, but dangerous currents and unpredictable surges remain possible near the shore.</p> <p>The advisory applies to the West Coast of the South Island from Milford Sound to Puysegur Point.</p> <p>The warning follows an earthquake centred 40km north of Te Anau, which struck at 9.14pm on Thursday at a depth of 53km.</p> <p>Nearly 20,000 people have reported feeling the quake, with the tremor felt across the South Island, including Otago, Southland and Canterbury.</p> <p><b>Did you feel the earthquake? Contact us at news@tvnz.co.nz</b></p> <p>Emergency Management Southland said there was no tsunami threat.</p> <p>"If you felt it and thought 'wow, that's a long, strong earthquake, I'll get gone' - then you've done the right thing! There may be strong and unusual currents over the next few days particularly around Milford and coastal areas."</p> <p>Queenstown Lakes District Council said the Edith Cavell Bridge would be closed for inspection by engineers at first light as a precaution following the earthquake, with an update likely by 8.30am on Friday.</p> <p>The council also warned motorists travelling over the Crown Range to take care and watch for possible rocks or debris on the road.</p> <p>Several smaller earthquakes have been recorded in the region following the magnitude 6.3 event.</p> <h2>'Whole house shook'</h2> <p>In Wānaka, one Facebook user said the quake felt "very strong", with another in Alexandra reported hearing a "very loud rumble" followed by "decent shaking".</p> <p>A Cromwell resident said their house was "moving for quite a while" and reported feeling aftershocks.</p> <p>Further south in Riversdale, Southland, one resident said the shaking lasted "around 20 to 30 seconds".</p> <p>In Portobello, Dunedin, one user described the quake as "very intense", while another in the city's suburb of St Kilda said their "sofa was swinging back and forth sideways".</p> <p>Elsewhere in Dunedin, a resident in Brockville said their "whole house shook", while another in Tainui described the quake as "big".</p>