A STRONG earthquake described as being of ‘severe’ intensity has struck New Zealand’s South Island this morning.
GeoNet says a quake of magnitude 6.4 struck 35km north of the Canterbury town of Methven about 6.48am on Tuesday. It’s the second biggest hit to the region since the dramatic quake in February 2011 killed 185 people in Christchurch.
The earthquake was located 10 kilometres deep and felt by more than 1400 people from as far as the North Island, Geonet reports. Police and Fire Service say they are yet to recieve reports of damage, although trains have been suspended in the region.
A series of aftershocks have rattled the country with at least three above magnitude 4.
One described as ‘strong’ struck 30 kilometres west of Arthur’s Pass at 6:52am New Zealand time, measuring 4.1. Two other quakes measuring 4.2 and a series of ‘moderate’ aftershocks have also rocked the region.
Geonet duty seismologist John Ristau told Stuff.co.nz the aftershocks would continue with potential for a larger quake later in the day.
“We’ve already had a few above magnitude four, and it wouldn’t be surprising for an earthquake of this size to have an aftershock above magnitude five at some point,” he said.
It’s thought the quake is not connected to the Alpine fault — which underpins the mountain range spanning the South Island.
GeoNet says a quake of magnitude 6.4 struck 35km north of the Canterbury town of Methven about 6.48am on Tuesday. It’s the second biggest hit to the region since the dramatic quake in February 2011 killed 185 people in Christchurch.
The earthquake was located 10 kilometres deep and felt by more than 1400 people from as far as the North Island, Geonet reports. Police and Fire Service say they are yet to recieve reports of damage, although trains have been suspended in the region.
A series of aftershocks have rattled the country with at least three above magnitude 4.
One described as ‘strong’ struck 30 kilometres west of Arthur’s Pass at 6:52am New Zealand time, measuring 4.1. Two other quakes measuring 4.2 and a series of ‘moderate’ aftershocks have also rocked the region.
Geonet duty seismologist John Ristau told Stuff.co.nz the aftershocks would continue with potential for a larger quake later in the day.
“We’ve already had a few above magnitude four, and it wouldn’t be surprising for an earthquake of this size to have an aftershock above magnitude five at some point,” he said.
It’s thought the quake is not connected to the Alpine fault — which underpins the mountain range spanning the South Island.