Wellington, New Zealand: 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's 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.
Previous quake
That quake caused extensive damage and a handful of injuries, but no deaths.
Yesterday's temblor also 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 Boxing Day sales. Although masonry and glass fell across sidewalks, no one was hurt, according to police.
Large parts of the central business district were cordoned off after the quake and power was cut temporarily.
Aftershocks
Monitoring agency GNS Science said the quake occurred at 10.30am within 5 kilometres of Christchurch at a depth of 12 kilometres.
It was the largest of more than a dozen aftershocks that rattled Christchurch throughout Sunday. Scientists said the temblors were related to the September quake and could continue for some time.
