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A graphic representing the 5.1 aftershock at 7.49am on September 8. - Source: ONE News -
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Canterbury has received 270 aftershocks of magnitude 3 or above so far since Saturday's earthquake, according to GNS Science.
However, seismologist Brian Ferris said people would have felt about 150 of those aftershocks.
About 10 aftershocks were between magnitude 5 and 5.5, 60 between 4 and 4.9 and 200 between 3 and 3.9, he said.
Since midnight there had been 18 aftershocks.
Victoria University's Dr John Townend said the number of aftershocks was not unusual considering the magnitude of the initial quake.
"This is what big earthquakes do. They cause aftershocks and they do rattle on for some time so nerves will be frayed."
A 5.1 magnitude aftershock hit shortly before 8am today caused most alarm in Christchurch since the initial quake, as it was a relatively shallow 6km deep and centred around the city's port area of Lyttelton.
Dr Townend said Christchurch could still be hit by another large aftershock.
"With an earthquake of magnitude 7.1, like this one, the rule of thumb is you could get aftershocks as large as one unit lower - so magnitude 6.1."
The quakes would probably continue for weeks but he expected they would diminish in strength.
"Basically what's happened is that this earthquake, the big one, has locally distressed that particular fault but in doing so it has transmitted stress to the neighbouring region."
He had not noticed any trends emerge from the pattern of aftershocks, he said.
Christchurch will remain under a state of emergency for another seven days.
State of emergency extended
Christchurch had not suffered any significant damage from this morning's big aftershock, but the city has extended its state of emergency by a week, Civil Defence says.
Civil Defence director John Hamilton said some inspected buildings would require reassessment.
The aftershock sent police and army swarming through the city. Workers were sent scrambling and construction work was brought to halt.
"The psyche of the city, if it's anything like mine is getting severely hammered mate, I'm churned up, we're all churned up," said Chriostchurch Mayor Bob Parker today
Lyttelton Tunnel was closed while cracks were inspected, but it was later re-opened when the New Zealand Transport Agency decided it was structurally safe and sound.
The aftershock was originally described as being of 6.1 magnitude, but that was soon after downgraded.
Because it was relatively shallow, at 6km depth, and centred just 10km southeast of Christchurch it was felt as the strongest aftershock in the city since Saturday's 7.1 earthquake.
Prime Minister John Key was told about the latest quake while on his way to inspect Kaiapoi this morning.
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Add a Comment:
Post new commentgordy said on 2010-09-09 @ 13:59 NZDT: Report abusive post
Im my 51 years on this earth I have never felt so pertrified..my first thoughts was we had been hit by a nuclear bomb and it was Armageddon. Never ever want to experience it again
schicken said on 2010-09-08 @ 19:15 NZDT: Report abusive post
I thought the same thing initially. However, another quake big enough to close or shift the cracks further is likely to be heard first and all the kids will most likely be fine. If a child does get swallowed up, I'm probably not going to have huge empathy for the media coverage or their parents, but until then, let the region have a little bit of fun. Education about health risks regarding contaminated water may be a good idea for all. :)
thinkaboutit said on 2010-09-06 @ 23:06 NZDT: Report abusive post
More great coverage tonight TVNZ especially highlighting the situation at individual community levels where people reported they felt abandoned. All credit to those organising themselves into community working groups at this level despite this. Arguably the recovery process would be greatly enhanced if these community groups were psychologically and practically supported by establishing official coordination centres at individual community levels.
Madeleine Ware said on 2010-09-06 @ 17:31 NZDT: Report abusive post
You're making some good points here. Perhaps some of the donations could be towards purchasing and setting up storage of these sorts of things. Individuals are also responsible for making their own preparations. I clean and keep old 3L juice bottles filled with water. Every now and then I water my house plants with one and refill it to refresh it.
Madeleine Ware said on 2010-09-06 @ 17:25 NZDT: Report abusive post
Why are they buying water? Aren't there several tankers about the city giving it away?