Seven earthquakes jolt New Zealand

[rooboy]

Seven earthquakes within nine hours jolted parts of New Zealand's North Island on Tuesday.

The most powerful, measuring 4.9 on the Richter scale, shook Wellington and Wairarapa regions at 9.36pm (1936 AEDT). It was centred 40km south-east of Martinborough at a depth of 20km.

Eight minutes later a 3.8 magnitude aftershock emanated from the same spot, the Institute of Geological and Nuclear Sciences (GNS) said.

About 30 minutes after that another quake was felt in Wellington.

Earlier at 1.38pm, the first quake, measuring 4.4 on the Richter scale, was centred 30km northwest of Porirua at a depth of 50km. It was felt throughout the Wellington region and GNS said it was also likely to have been felt in the Malborough Sounds.

http://www.theage.com.au/news/World/Seven-earthquakes-jolt-New-Zealands/2005/01/18/1105810915245.html