Sales shoppers hit as New Zealand suffers aftershocks

MASONRY and glass rained down near post-Christmas shoppers as a magnitude 4.9 earthquake rocked Christchurch on New Zealand’s South Island yesterday.

No one was injured, but at least 20 buildings in the city centre were damaged by the temblor, which scientists said was the latest of hundreds of aftershocks since a 7.1 magnitude earthquake struck Christchurch on September 4. That quake caused extensive damage and a handful of injuries, but no deaths.

Yesterday’s activity came a few hours after a magnitude 7.3 earthquake struck under the sea near Vanuatu. There were no reports of damage or injuries from that quake, though it generated a small tsunami wave.

New Zealand and Vanuatu are situated on the Pacific “ring of fire” — an arc of earthquake and volcanic zones stretching from Chile in South America through Alaska and down through the South Pacific.

The quake struck Christchurch in the late morning as shoppers thronged central city streets to take advantage of traditional St Stephen’s Day sales. Although masonry and glass fell across sidewalks, no one was hurt, said the police.

Large parts of the central business district were cordoned off after the quake and power was cut temporarily.

Monitoring agency GNS Science said the quake occurred at 10.30am within five kilometers of Christchurch at a depth of 12km.

It was the largest of more than a dozen aftershocks that rattled Christchurch throughout yesterday. Scientists said the tremors were related to the September quake and could continue for some time.

Earlier yesterday, a 5.9 magnitude quake was felt across New Zealand’s North Island, but no damage or injuries were reported. The quake was centred north of volcanic White Island off New Zealand’s east coast.

New Zealand sits above an area where two tectonic plates collide.

The country records more than 14,000 earthquakes a year — but only about 150 are felt by residents, and fewer than 10 a year do any damage.