Earthquakes keep New Zealand shaking

New Zealand was hit by a series of earthquakes last night, a day after the biggest quake to hit the Marlborough region in 45 years.

At 10.46pm the North Island was rocked by a 4.8 magnitude quake centred 150km east of Te Araroa at a depth of 33km.

GNS Science seismologist Brian Ferris said it could have been felt as far away as Wellington.

There was no tsunami threat from the quake, he said.

Shortly after 5pm a 4.9 quake west of Taupo was felt in Wellington and Hawke's Bay.

Three weaker quakes were felt in the South Island within about three hours of each other.

At 7.09 pm a 2.5 quake hit near Christchurch, followed by a 3.4 quake centred 10km northwest of Oxford at 8.15pm and a 3.3 magnitude quake centred 20km northeast of Cromwell at 9.33pm.

On Saturday Wellington and Picton residents were rattled by the biggest quake since the Seddon earthquake of 1966.

The 5.7 magnitude earthquake was centred 30km east of Picton in the Marlborough Sounds at 7.19pm, at a depth of 60km.

Wellington and Picton escaped major damage due to the depth of the quake.

The quake was felt from New Plymouth to Christchurch. Many described hearing a loud "thunder-like" noise as the ground swayed, before the jolt hit, lasting about 20 seconds.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/6084641/Earthquakes-keep-New-Zealand-shaking