A magnitude 5.7 earthquake has struck the top of the South Island.
GeoNet reports the quake struck at 10.13pm and was 57 kilometres deep and 10km west of St Arnaud.
Wow, that was a reasonable jolt - nearly 24,000 of you felt that! M5.7 near St Arnaud with strong shaking. We’ve had felt reports from across the South Island and the lower North Island #eqnz https://t.co/r0xPWbxlec pic.twitter.com/f4FAFF9GP4
— GeoNet (@geonet) September 3, 2020
Jonathan Hanson from GNS Science told Karyn Hay on Lately there are no reports of damage near the epicentre.
"The estimates that we've seen of the ground shaking in the area don't predict too much damage but potentially some pictures falling off walls or dishes getting a good rattle could be expected."
Social media lit up with comments from rattled residents throughout Nelson and Marlborough.
RNZ's Wellington staff reported a gentle rolling quake that lasted for about 20 seconds.
#EQNZ while RNZ was reading a story on the news about the CH Quake. Freaky!
— Richard Hulse (@RichardHulse) September 3, 2020
The prime minister's partner Clarke Gayford was one of those who felt it.
Quiiiiiite creaky the old Prem House during those good shakes, its sure set off the birds nesting in our ceiling #eqnz
— Clarke Gayford (@NZClarke) September 3, 2020
Hope everyone else is OK.
Some Christchurch residents say they felt it very strongly there.
A nice reminder mere hours before the 10-year anniversary of the Christchurch earthquake sequence #eqnz https://t.co/IrUQ8UEnbM
— Winston Smith (@WSmith01984) September 3, 2020
Earthquakes really just sneak up outta nowhere, don't they? Having a chill time and suddenly heart in my throat and fight/flight kicking in #eqnz
— Tegan Wooding (@twoodthing) September 3, 2020
