About ten hours later, a severe aftershock of the magnitude of 6,2 shook the country again. As reported by the US earthquake reserve USGS, the earthquake with center on the South Island occurred about 120 kilometers north-east of Christchurch. Earlier, there were already dozens of weaker aftershocks.
The center of the first quake again on the South Island - north of Christchurch. The German geo-research center (GFZ) in Potsdam gave the strength with 7.9, the US earthquake reserve USGS with 7.8. In New Zealand itself there was talk of 7.5. In 2011, a tremor of 6.3 in the Christchurch area killed 185 people. At that time there were serious damage.
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New Zealand's Prime Minister John Key spoke on Monday (local time) of at least two deaths without mentioning details.
Meanwhile, the civilian protection has downgraded its tsunami warning somewhat. He warned on Monday morning only before waves of up to one meter high on parts of the east coast of the South and North Island of New Zealand. According to the civilian protection, tsunami waves of up to five meters high had previously been threatened in some sections.
A first wave reached this region on Monday morning just before 2.00 clock local time (14.00 clock CET on Sunday) - about two hours after the quake.
Shattered glass panes, sponges covered with splinters
According to media reports from New Zealand, the quake was felt not only on the South Island, but also in the cities of Wellington, Hamilton and Auckland as well as in the Taranaki region on the North Island.
Photos showed broken glass panes, sponges covered with splinters, cracks in streetcovers and overseas containers that had slipped. In the Taranaki region, electricity was generated in several cities.
In the capital of Wellington, hundreds of people were gathering in the streets, while alarm-raiders howled and firefighters and police cars were chasing the streets.
Some parts of the building seemed to have fallen into the street. Near the Civic Square, hotel guests were trembling in bathrobes and were waiting to return to their building. The University of Wellington wanted to keep all their facilities closed until noon to check them for damage.
"Six people in Waiau that no one can reach"
In Christchurch, the largest city on the South Island, the inhabitants of the waterfront areas left their houses in the direction of higher districts. Dense car traffic was reported. Many people were standing in the streets and told about mobile phones that they were doing well.
A student said she could not reach friends in the small town of Waiau near Hanmer Springs. "There are six people in Waiau that no one can reach," she said.
The Potsdam seismologist Michael Weber warned against strong landslides in the region. "This is at the moment the biggest problem," said the scientist at the GFZ on Sunday the German press agency. The danger of aftershocks is not yet banned.
In the earthquake of February 22, 2011, the epicenter was only ten kilometers from the center of Christchurch. About 10,000 houses were badly damaged, including the Cathedral of Christchurch, a landmark of the city.
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