By 3 News online staff
Since the first big quake hit Canterbury in September 2010 the region has been rocked by more than 58 earthquakes of magnitude five or higher.
GNS Science’s Martin Reyners says the unusual crustal structure in Canterbury is the cause of the continuing shakes in the region.
“When New Zealand was on the edge of the supercontinent Gondwana… we had this very strong crust that was thrust under the edge and that’s now still playing a part 100 million years later,” he told Firstline this morning.
Mr Reyners says the strong crust makes it difficult for the land to bleed off strain.
3 News