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Quake revised to 6.0, no damage reported

Author
Alex Mason, Laura Heathcote and Newstalk ZB staff,
Publish Date
Tue, 6 Jan 2015, 7:53AM
Photo: Supplied
Photo: Supplied

Quake revised to 6.0, no damage reported

Author
Alex Mason, Laura Heathcote and Newstalk ZB staff,
Publish Date
Tue, 6 Jan 2015, 7:53AM

UPDATED 4.41pm: It's unclear which fault line this morning's magnitude 6 quake originated from.

After reviewing data, GNS science says the quake was centered west of Arthurs Pass, on the Greymouth side of the Southern Alps.

But GNS Duty seismologist John Ristau says with so many fault lines in the area, it's not known which one caused the shake.

"The whole country really is riddled with faults, so it could be really any number of faults that it's occurred on or it could be triggered on a fault we don't know about."

EQC claims

EQC has so far received 17 insurance claims in relation to a swarm of earthquakes in the South Island this morning.

Jessica McCarthy reports.

"An EQC spokeswoman says the majority of claims have come from Christchurch, with a few more in Ashburton and Methven. She says EQC is keeping an eye on the situation and people can lodge a claim on their website if they have suffered any damage. Those affected have three months to lodge a claim."

Railway lines inspected

Kiwirail has given clearance for all of its South Island lines to resume following this morning's earthquake.

A number of tracks had been closed as a precaution, so workers could check for any faults.

Staff have since completed the remaining inspections on the Midland and Stillwater lines, which can now reopen.

All freight services have resumed and the Tranz Alpine will run as normal tomorrow.

Police checking for slips

Meanwhile, police have sent a highway patrol into Arthurs Pass to check the road for slips, following a series of earthquakes in the area this morning.

Police patrols from the Greymouth and Christchurch sides of the pass have been sent to assess the road conditions.

A police spokesperson says they've had no reports of damage from Arthurs Pass but have sent the patrol for reassurance.

The road is currently open.

Rockfalls likely

The Department of Conservation expects today's earthquake will have brought down rock falls in the area.

Senior Ranger Peter Brady says with so much loose rock on top of the mountains it's likely some has been shifted.

"They're coming down all the time just with ice movement and mountain freeze and sometimes when the earthquake comes along it accelerates that process."

No signs of injuries

It appears Cantabrians have emerged unscathed from this morning's swarm of earthquakes.

A 6.0 earthquake centred 35-kilometres north of Methven rattled through the region at 6.48am, followed by a number of after-shocks.

However a St John spokesman says they've had no calls relating to the earthquakes, and no increase in calls because of them.

There have been no reports of injuries so far.

Twelve aftershocks also been recorded this morning near Arthur's Pass.

And Christchurch Police have yet to receive any reports of damage or calls for assistance following the jolts.

Southern Fire Service spokesman Riwai Grace says there have been no reports of damage following the two earthquakes.

He described the 6.4 magnitude incident as a long, rolling quake.

Second quake and jolts felt

A second quake was recorded at 6.52am. It was a magnitude 4.1 at a depth of 4.1 kilometres and was centred 30 kilometres south-west of Arthurs Pass.

GNS got 1200 calls but it looks like there's been no damage, and police say so far there's nothing to report.

Duty Seismologist John Ristau says a number of large aftershocks are likely.

"So in terms of its size and how shallow it is, it's actually very similar to the February 2011 Christchurch earthquakes."

Ristau says the region is fairly active.

"And has had earthquakes above magnitude 6 in that area in the past, so it's not unusual to have earthquakes of that size and yes, this is a fair distance from Christchurch."

Tourists' rude awakening

A rude early morning wake-up for tourists and locals in the Southern Alps.

A 6.4 magnitude earthquake struck shortly before 7 this morning, near Arthur's Pass.

It's been followed by a swarm of strong aftershocks.

Peter Neale from the Arthur's Pass Alpine Motel says the shake woke him up, and he checked on his guests.

"One of the Kiwis we've got has already got up and gone and climbed up Avalanche Peak, so hopefully he'll be alright up there.

"We had some German tourists and they certainly came out and had a brief chat."

Peter Neale says traffic is running normally and there doesn't seem to be any damage.

The quake was felt across Canterbury.

Eyewitness accounts

James Urquhart is the general manager of operations at Mount Hutt Ski Area.

He says told Newstalk ZB's Tim Dower the noise woke him first.

"You know you just hear that sort of rumbling noise a little bit and then obviously you look at the lights and they're giving themselves a shake, and then you know you're in one."

Urquhart says it was quite a shake.

"It was the noise again that little bit of a rumble, like on the ocean a little bit, couple of little waves.

"And then just the noise inside the house as well and the creaking of the timbers."

Kirsty lives between Pleasant Point and Fairlie, having moved to South Canterbury from Christchurch over a year ago.

"It wasn't sharp and shakey. It was very rolling."

She says her heat is still beating following the rolling earthquake.

"And it was big. It shook the whole house and we haven't felt a single one since we've been down here."

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