Mainland struck by earthquake

UPDATED REPORT: The South Island was struck by an earthquake shortly after 8.15am today. Did you feel the quake? Please email us on reporters@press.co.nz

The quake, which lasted more than 3 seconds, was felt throughout Christchurch, Greymouth, and Blenheim but there were no reports of damage.

The 5.6 magnitude earthquake at 8.15am was centred about halfway between Hanmer Springs and St Arnaud in the middle of an extensive fault system, GNS Science seismologist BryanField said.

Seismologists said aftershocks can be expected from the earthquake that rattled much of the country this morning but they may not be widely felt.

"It's possible we'll have aftershocks, but it was quite a deep one, so people may not feel them much outside that area."

More than 1300 reports from people who felt the quake had since been emailed to the crown research institute, with responses from as far north as Hamilton down to Dunedin.

The 70km depth of the earthquake ensured it was widely felt, Field said.

Kelly Steele, a worker at a supermarket in the holiday resort of Hanmer Springs, said everyone in the store felt it.

"There has been no major damage with us. We had a dozen or so things fall off the shelves, but nothing was broken. "...I haven't heard of any major damage elsewhere."

Readers of the online Press also shared their experience of the quake, largely describing it as a gentle rolling motion that set lights swinging and doors rattling.

Feedback from readers:

I live in a two-story house and was on my bed when I felt that the whole building is shaking and the walls sounded like cracking ..it wasn't that strong really but just cuz of the wooden structure .. it was so obvious to feel ...
Abdul

Felt during our 8am lecture at University of Otago in Dunedin.
Marewa

I was lying in bed listening to the radio and just felt something ... I lay quite still and seemed to be feeling movement - perhaps an earthquake I thought - forwards and backwards, ie, from south to north and back. I wasn't sure really if it was an earthquake. It seemed to last for less than half a minute or perhaps a minute. When I opened my eyes the lamp on the ceiling was not moving. I felt noticeable but only slight movement.
Nancy

I felt the earthquake this morning in Christchurch. It didn't do any damage except I was putting make up on at the time!
Michelle

Yes I felt the earthquake here in Richmond, Nelson while having breakfast ... didn't hear any accompanying noise but felt the shaking over a few seconds, wondering at what stage should I move to safety! It wasn't scary and no damage.
Margaret

I am a born and bred Cantab that moved for work reasons to the Wellington area in August. Reading your site each morning is one way of coping with homesickness and keep up with news from home. I can report that the quake was clearly felt this morning in my Lower Hutt office. We are on the third floor here and the building swayed for a good five seconds.
Jeremy

Yes I felt the earthquake this morning at Kaiapoi. The cat was also alerted as she (the cat) got up from my knee where she was getting a cuddle and sat upright and looked around the room. Something rattled on a table in the room. I then looked at the clock and noted the time was 8.16am.
Colleen

Yes I felt it at Carters Beack Westport it was a rolling type with a lot of noise and seemed to go on for quite a while 30 sec+.
Denise and Brian

Yes, I did feel the earthquake, I am from Ireland, and have been in New Zealand for one and a half years. I was very excited to feel my first ever earthquake. Whilst sitting at work, in the City, I felt the office shake, and my workmates confirmed that it was in fact an earthquake that I was feeling. I have been told that there could possibly be another one, and am waiting with anticipation.
Mary-Therese

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