New Zealand rumble latest in series of quakes

WELLINGTON (AFP) Aug 16, 2003
A minor earthquake Saturday morning centred near Eketahuna - in the lower North Island about 150 kilometres north of the capital Wellington - was the latest in a string of recent North Island tremors.

The quake happened at around 8.30 am (2030 GMT) and measured 3.5 on the Richter scale. It was centred 30 kilometres northeast of Eketahuna, the Institute of Geological and Nuclear Sciences' GeoNet information website said.

Four earthquakes shook North Island regions two weekends ago, measuring between 3.9 and 5.4 on the Richter scale.

The Earthquake Commission is expecting up to 250 property claims relating to minor damage caused by the earthquakes.

TERRA.WIRE