article: Sep 16 2006 - Central New Zealand Shakes

A moderate earthquake struck central New Zealand at 11:43 pm last night. It was a magnitude 5.0 shake, and its epicentre was located in the northern Cook Strait west of Paraparaumu.

Felt report distribution for this earthquake.

The earthquake itself took place about 50 km below the surface, so no significant damage has been reported. Similar earthquakes in this area are relatively common:

• Sunday, January 3 1999, 8:00 pm, magnitude 5.6
• Saturday, April 1 2000, 5:56 am, magnitude 5.4
• Tuesday, October 31 2000, 5:32 am, magnitude 5.3
• Tuesday, December 19 2000, 6:03 pm, magnitude 5.1
• Saturday, December 7 2002, 6:59 pm, magnitude 5.0
• Monday, May 15 2006, 5:32 am, magnitude 5.0

The accompanying map shows the distribution of the 884 responses to our online questionnaire, received up until 10:00 am this morning.

The Modified Mercalli (MM) shaking levels, the brief definition of their effects on people, and the localities that experienced them, are shown below. Where a number appears in square brackets [n], 'n' reports were received from that locality:

• MM 5 - "Generally felt outside, and by almost everyone indoors. A few people alarmed":
  Ascot Park, Karori [3], Kelson, Khandallah, Linden, Lower Hutt, Miramar, Mount Victoria, Naenae, Newtown, Paekakariki [2], Paraparaumu Beach [2], Paremata [2], Porirua, Raumati Beach [2], Raumati South, Silverstream, Stokes Valley [2], Te Horo, Wainuiomata [4], Wellington [3], Whitby [8], Wilton.
  
  
• MM 4 - "Generally noticed indoors but not outside. Vibration may be likened to the passing of heavy traffic, or to the jolt of a heavy object falling or striking the building":
  Alicetown [2], Ascot Park, Avalon [4], Belmont [2], Berhampore [4], Blenheim [9], Broadmeadows [2], Brooklyn [13], Brown Owl [2], Bulls, Burleigh, Camborne [3], Cannons Creek [2], Carterton, Chartwell [2], Churton Park [11], Eastbourne [4], Epuni [2], Fairfield [2], Featherston [2], Foxton [2], Foxton Beach, Glenside, Hataitai [10], Havelock [2], Heretaunga, Highbury [2], Hokowhitu [2], Houghton Bay [2], Ihakara, Island Bay [11], Johnsonville [20], Karori [23], Kelburn [16], Kelson [3], Khandallah [20], Kilbirnie [4], Kingston [3], Korokoro [9], Levin [2], Linden [2], Lower Hutt [21], Lyall Bay [5], Mahau Sound, Makara Beach, Mana [2], Manakau, Marton, Masterton [8], Maungaraki [12], Maupuia, Miramar [9], Mornington, Mount Cook [14], Mount Victoria [9], Naenae [8], Newlands [20], Newtown [15], Ngaio [12], Normandale [8], Northland [13], Opaki, Opunake, Otaihanga, Otaki [5], Otaki Beach, Owhiro Bay, Paekakariki [5], Palmerston North [4], Papakowhai [5], Paparangi [4], Parapara, Paraparaumu [29], Paraparaumu Beach [12], Paremata [3], Pauatahanui [2], Penzance Bay, Petone [12], Picton [5], Pinehaven [4], Plimmerton [6], Porirua [10], Pukerua Bay, Pukio, Ranui Heights, Rarangi, Raumati Beach [9], Raumati South [7], Redwood, Redwoodtown [3], Renwick [3], Riverstone Terraces [6], Rongotai, Roseneath [3], Roslyn, Saint Omer, Seatoun [6], Silverstream [8], Solway, Springlands [2], Springvale [4], Stokes Valley [9], Strathmore Park [3], Taita [5], Takaka, Tangimoana, Tawa [31], Te Horo [2], Timberlea [2], Titahi Bay [15], Totara Park, Trentham [7], Tuamarina, Upper Hutt [15], Wadestown [6], Waihopai, Waikanae [10], Waikanae Beach [3], Waikawa, Waikawa Beach, Wainuiomata [19], Waitangirua, Waiwhetu, Wallaceville [2], Wanganui [5], Wanganui East [3], Waterloo [6], Wellington [102], Whitby [19], Whitemans Valley [2], Wilton [5], Witherlea, Woburn, Woodbourne.
  
  
• MM 3 - "Felt indoors; hanging objects may swing, vibration similar to passing of light trucks, may not be recognised as an earthquake":
  Castlecliff, Foxton, Kelburn, Petone, Taumarunui, Wellington.
  
  
• Also felt, but MM not determined:
  Aramoho, Johnsonville [2], Karori, Kelburn, Paraparaumu, Plimmerton, Stokes Valley, Upper Hutt, Wellington, Whitby.