More quakes hit New Zealand
2009-07-18 07:38
Wellington - Three earthquakes with an average magnitude of 4.8 on the Richter scale hit New Zealand on Saturday.
Southland civil defence said that Saturday's shocks had not injured anyone. There also appeared to be very little property damage.
The first and largest of the three quakes struck at 04:40 and measured 5.1 on the Richter scale. It was centered 160km west of Tuatapere.
The other two quakes occurred 80km west of Te Anau and measured 4.5 and 4.9 respectively.
There have been 16 earthquakes in the South Island region of Fiordland since Wednesday when there was a magnitude-7.8 shake.
New Zealand is one of the world's most earthquake-prone countries, recording about 14 000 a year, though only 100 to 150 are strong enough to be felt.
Civil defence officials said the quake should come as a wake-up call to New Zealanders to prepare for a similarly large quake in a populated area.
- SAPA