Quakes rock Hanmer Springs

Two earthquakes rattled shop shelves and residents' nerves in Hanmer Springs township today.

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The first earthquake, measuring 4.9 on the Richter scale, struck at 8.55am and was centred 12km deep, 10 km north of Hanmer Springs in Canterbury.

GNS Science said it was widely felt across the South Island.

It was followed by a second smaller magnitude 4.1 quake centred within 5km of the township, at 10km deep.

Hanmer Four Square owner Glen Steele said the earthquake consisted of one "solid shake''.

Several items on shelves had been broken.

"Quite a few bottles of dishwashing liquid and tins of cat food had been damaged.''

Constable Nick Wenborn said the first struck just before 9am, and it was followed by a smaller tremor.

"I was in a meeting and I went into a doorway. When the shaking had stopped we went out to the carpark. You just go into what you learned at school.''

He said police had received no reports of damage.

A third earthquake, measuring 5.8 hit the Bay of Plenty and Gisborne regions at 9.33am.

It was centred 80km northeast of White Island but because of its depth of 130km below the earth's surface was not widely felt.

Canterbury Civil Defence Emergency Management duty officer James Thompson said the quakes were a timely reminder for people to prepare for emergencies, including during the holiday period.

“Emergencies, like this earthquake, can happen at any time. Sometimes, for example, when it floods we have some warning that it is going to happen. Other times, for example, when there is an earthquake we will have no warning,” Thompson said.

The earthquakes earlier this morning follows a recent briefing with the new Minister of Civil Defence, John Carter. 

The briefing highlighted the fact that the South Island has a 20 percent chance of having a major Alpine Fault earthquake in the next 20 years.

“We do have a significant earthquake hazard in Canterbury and earthquakes can affect communities throughout the region, including Christchurch. We encourage everyone to prepare for any emergency all year around,” he said.

  

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