Chance of repeat quake one in four
THERE is a one-in-four chance of a repeat of the earthquake that struck near Eketahuna, jangling nerves and causing widespread damage.
GNS duty seismologist Caroline Little said there was a 24 per cent probability of a quake between magnitude 6 and 6.9 in the region in the next 30 days.
‘‘That’s our best estimate based on worldwide data and what the aftershocks are doing at the moment.’’
There was a 3 per cent chance of a quake of magnitude 7 and over in the next 30 days. ‘‘So it’s pretty slim.’’ By yesterday afternoon, 392 aftershocks had been recorded, with 55 of them greater than magnitude 3 and six higher than magnitude 4.
The magnitude 6.2 Wellington Anniversary Day quake struck at 3.52pm on Monday.
An Earthquake Commission spokeswoman said it had received more than 600 claims from through- out the lower North Island, including Manawatu, Wellington and Wairarapa. People had three months to make their claims.
Dairy farmer Greg Gemmell’s cows were in his Bunnythorpe milking shed when the earthquake stuck. It rumbled like a freight train or aircraft landing, he said.
"I could see it coming along the pit. The cows freaked out and I thought there was going to be a stampede."
A series of aftershocks have kept people on edge.
Wellington region civil defence manager Bruce Pepperell said three commercial properties were evacuated in Masterton.
Overall, the region got off lightly from the ‘‘strong and long jolt’’, he said.
‘‘The G-forces at play were a lot less than [Seddon],’’ he said.
‘‘Where it is an issue is in northern Wairarapa, southern Hawkes Bay and Manawatu. There are a couple of buildings there shaken and showing signs of distress and engineers are checking [them].’’
In those regions, the quake damaged chimneys, toppled televisions, cracked roads and tipped over stock in shops.
Milk was diverted from Fonterra’s Pahiatua distribution storage centre, 24 kilometres north of Eketahuna, after minor damage.
Powerco acting network operations manager Dean Stevenson said about 5600 customers around Eketahuna, Alfredton, Palmerston North, Feilding and Manaia were affected. All power should be restored by today.