Quake shakes central NZ

Published: 3:42PM Tuesday July 05, 2011 Source: ONE News

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A 6.5 magnitude earthquake which struck the central North Island has been felt across much of New Zealand, but there have been no reports of damage.

The quake, which struck at 3:36pm, was 150km deep and centred 30km west of Taupo.

Despite reports of people feeling the quake from as far away as Timaru, Geonet said it would be unlikely that it caused any damage because it was so deep.

Aftershocks were also unlikely, Geonet said.

Taupo Civil Defence said it had no call-outs related to the quake.

"We have not had any reports of damage so far, but many have reported feeling a small tremor," Taupo Emergency Manager Phil Parker said.

Today's quake came hours after a moderate shake in Melbourne.

Where it was felt

ONE News received hundreds of emails from people who reported feeling the quake.

Areas where it has been felt include Wellington, Nelson, Greymouth, Wairarapa, Whanganui, Rotorua, Timaru and Christchurch.

New Plymouth resident Ruth McDowell said the quake made her feel dizzy and she "heard the house creaking and the pot plants moving around."

M. Ellmers from Hastings said it was "pretty scary stuff".

"The walls and roof sounded like they were cracking," she said.

It was also felt in Christchurch.

Christchurch resident Wendy Sincock said she was in a four storey building when it hit.

"It was a reasonable shake/creaking," she said.

Rachel Mounsey from New Plymouth said: "we DEFINATELY felt the quake here in New Plymouth. Jolly jumper was swaying etc, so unerving!"

National MP Tau Henare tweeted: "Earthquake here in Wgtn. Decent shake. parliament moved. East to West."

Holly Whitmore was in Tawa, Wellington when the quake hit.

"I am from England and this is the first tremor I have felt and it scared the life out of me!!" she said.

"I was sat on my bed reading, heard some creaking and the floor and walls began to shake. I was so scared I ran outside!! Some friends told me what it was, but it really scared me!!!"

Jason Pye, also from Wellington, said it was the strongest quake he's felt in many years.

"Bit of a jolt then shaking got worse for about 4 seconds then slowly stopped, everything was shaking but nothing fell of shelves etc."

Andrea Gibson in Lower Hutt said her dog began to bark before the quake hit.

"I was looking out the window with a passer-by who had stopped to look in at my dog, after i brought her inside and sat down with my daughter the place began to shake so i yelled to my other daughter to get to a door way."

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