New Zealand Earthquake 2011: Quake Hits Christchurch

Strong earthquakes hit Christchurch city in New Zealand one after the other today. However, no damaged has been reported and no tsunami alert has been issued. It was not long ago when Christchurch was hit by an earthquake that killed 182 people.

The first 5.8-magnitude quake struck Friday afternoon, 16 miles (26 kilometers) north of Christchurch and 2.5 miles (4 kilometers) deep, the U.S. Geological Survey said. Minutes later, a 5.3-magnitude aftershock hit. About an hour after that, the city was shaken by another 5.8-magnitude temblor, the U.S.G.S. said, though New Zealand’s geological agency GNS Science recorded that aftershock as a magnitude-6.0. Both aftershocks were less than 3 miles (5 kilometers) deep.

USGS Map: