Powerful earthquake felt across North island

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Powerful earthquake felt across North island

3News NZ

The earthquake was a very deep magnitude 7.0

The earthquake was a very deep magnitude 7.0

A powerful earthquake that rocked the North Island late last night appears to have caused little damage.

The magnitude seven quake was centred 60 km south of Opunake in Taranaki, just after 10.30pm, but was very deep at 230 km.

There have been reports of minor damage to chimneys and items falling off shelves.

It rocked buildings in many central and lower North Island towns and cities.

It was felt across the region and felt as far away as Christchurch in the south and Feilding and the Bay of Plenty in the north.

Blair Nicholls really felt it in Hawera, saying it was noisy and long.

“Taranaki earthquake was strong and sounded like a freight train coming through the house. To start with it was a rumble then vigorous shaking for about 2 minutes solid. “Being in a two story house it felt as though the house was going actually fall over. A few dishes rattled, otherwise no damage that’s visible at the moment.”

The earthquake was felt for a long period across Wellington too - a rumble that gradually increased across 30-to-40 seconds before subsiding.

GNS science says it is the largest earthquake in the region in seven years.

3 News / RadioLIVE

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Comments

4/07/2012 5:24:22 p.m.

earthqukeboy wrote:

it was about 4.5 and wow it ;asted about 2-3 minutes in -hawke's bay it went on and on and on also that if it was lets say 100 km uper all of us would be the same as cris church oh yeh that's it if it was higher there would be almostno house/building's left in nz

4/07/2012 3:22:24 p.m.

Sam wrote:

On a hill in Napier I felt it quiet bad and the old 1920's house I am in was swaying also the doors. I know it lasted more than 30 seconds coz im a time freak and I say it lasted 1.59 minutes. Yes 3 big jolts during. Couldn't hear it due to it raining. I went to the back of the house under a door frame. Not the front because of it being on stilts.. due to the fact our house is on the side of a hill. I have made a survival kit today and will to continue having things ready for when it does hit again.. And yes there will be a big one, iv been saying it for months now, and it will be big enough that most of NZ will be affected by it, so please be prepared NZ!

4/07/2012 2:00:26 p.m.

Big D wrote:

Were sitting watching TV when things started moving and went on a bit longer than usual. Oh well. that's another one and a bit bigger than what we have been getting lately. Wonder what and where? Nothing on the ChCh site, that's funny then word comes out it was up North. I read where people coment that they now know what Christchurch had. Oh no you don't, you had no damage, buildings falling around you, thick dust in the air, roads a mess, no water, no power, no sewerage. Come on, all you felt was a good shake. Very lucky it was so deep or you too may have been the same as us.

4/07/2012 1:17:48 p.m.

GP wrote:

The earthquate was transfering from the southern into the northern NZ gradually...I worry about those dangerous building in the Central Auckland Aarea...The mayor doesn't worry about the safety of those students living in the dangerous building?...want the Chch. tragedy to be happened again?

4/07/2012 1:12:54 p.m.

db wrote:

Yep Palmerston North was shaking for about 30 seconds. Heard it coming for a while first...thought it was a train. Then tv started shaking and picture frames bumping on the wall. Pretty lucky it wasnt closer to land and any shallower. Watch out Wellington.

4/07/2012 12:12:47 p.m.

madness wrote:

With all these quakes that keep coming all over the country there has to be a real biggy coming. I just hope everyone is ready

4/07/2012 11:12:11 a.m.

Lesley wrote:

Felt nothing in Hamilton

4/07/2012 10:33:30 a.m.

tana wrote:

it felt strong in Otaki, and went for a while id agree with 30 seconds. long rumble gradually ending in a strong jolt

4/07/2012 10:32:55 a.m.

james wrote:

In waitara we felt it for atleast 30 seconds. Rolling with 3 large under jolts. Biggest ive ever felt in this region. It was pretty cool!!

4/07/2012 10:32:05 a.m.

Chris wrote:

I was in Wellington at first I thougt it would have stopped but then I told my sister she was asleep then we went outside wow