article: Jul 12 2010 - Rude awakening in Hawke's Bay

The magnitude 5.3 earthquake occurred at 01:23 am (NZST) Monday morning.

Location of Hawke's Bay Earthquake

The magnitude 5.3 earthquake occurred at 01:23 am (NZST) Monday morning.  It was 40 km deep and was located about 10 km northwest of Wairoa, in the Hawke’s Bay region.  It was large enough to wake residents in Wairoa and Gisborne, and to rattle and topple ornaments.  Over 280 people have reported feeling the earthquake, from Hastings to Whakatane, however no significant damage has been reported.

The earthquake was a normal faulting mechanism and occurred within the Pacific plate, which is being thrust westwards beneath the east coast of the North Island at about 45 mm/year in a process known as subduction.  As this plate subducts, it is subject to bending stress and stresses arising from the plate heating up. It is these stresses which caused the earthquake.

More information on this earthquake can be found on the GeoNet website.