26 Jun 2014

Moderate quakes shake lower North Island

6:32 pm on 26 June 2014

Moderate earthquakes rocked the lower North Island on Thursday.

A 4.8-magnitude quake struck about 4pm and was located about 40km south-west of Whanganui at a depth of 40km.

It was felt as far south as Kaikorua, well into Taranaki, and as far north as Taumarunui.

GeoNet project director Ken Gledhill says the tremor was off the coast and at a reasonable depth, meaning shaking was felt widely.

It follows a 4.9-magnitude quake 10km east of Eketahuna in the northern Wairarapa at 7.46am and at a depth of 32km.

Kerry Brewer from the Eketahuna Four Square said she felt two sharp jolts close together. "It was very scary but there was no damage anywhere."

On 20 January, a strong 6.2 quake 15km east of the township damaged houses and roads, caused rock falls and cut power.