Strong quake rattles NZ

More than 44,000 people registered with GeoNet as having felt the 5.8 quake in the 15 mins after it hit. (The darker marks show the location of people who reported stronger shaking). Photo: Supplied/ GeoNet.

A strong 5.8 earthquake has rattled the top of the South Island, and lower North Island overnight.

GeoNet says the quake was centred about 30 km north-east of French Pass, at the north end of Tasman Bay.

It hit at 9.07pm, and was about 51km deep.

In the 15 minutes following the earthquake more than 44,000 people registered on the GeoNet website that they had felt the shaking.

The highest group of respondents in that time, 8145 people, said it felt like moderate shaking - which GeoNet described as an earthquake strong enough to wake most sleepers, with some objects shifting about, and some breaking of glasses and crockery.

Meanwhile, residents at the top of the South Island were worried the earthquake might cause more landslides.

French Pass resident Jude Sonneland said she was watching TV when the quake struck.

"There was a sudden really big jolt like a truck had hit the house and then some shaking which gradually eased off but it felt like a big earthquake.

"We've got neighbours ringing around to make sure everyone's OK. We're all concerned about the slips - are they going to move again. There's a bit of anxiety out there."

Wild weather last month saw flooding, road closures, slips and a state of emergency declared in Marlborough.

-RNZ.

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1 comment

Capital logic

Posted on 23-09-2022 12:09 | By CliftonGuy

I cannot understand the logic of the powers that be who decided to plant the country's capital right on top of a major earthquake fault line. I think that the capital should be moved progressively to a more stable location, maybe Hamilton, which is closer to the Auckland economic hub. This would allow politicians to commute easier around the country instead of having to deal with the frequently poor flying weather in and out of Wellington.


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