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New Zealand earthquake today: Powerful magnitude 7.4 quake hits Christchurch New Zealand earthquake today: Multiple aftershocks hit Christchurch after 7.4 tremor
(35 minutes later)
An earthquake of magnitude 7.4 has hit New Zealand near Christchurch, experts have said. New Zealand has issued a tsunami warning amid multiple tremors following a 7.4 earthquake that rocked the country's South Island.
The epicentre was recorded 57 miles north-northeast of Christchurch on the east coast of New Zealand's South Island.The epicentre was recorded 57 miles north-northeast of Christchurch on the east coast of New Zealand's South Island.
It struck at the shallow depth of 3.1 miles, 28 miles from the town of Amberley which has a population of 2,000 people.It struck at the shallow depth of 3.1 miles, 28 miles from the town of Amberley which has a population of 2,000 people.
  New Zealand's Civil Defence authority has told South Island residents living on the east coast to move to higher ground.
Tremors were felt as far afield as the cities of Dunedin to the south and Wellington on North Island, reports the New Zealand Herald. The authority tweeted: "Situation has changed - tsunami is possible. People near the coast in the south island should move to high ground or inland."
Tremors were felt as far afield as the cities of Dunedin to the south and Wellington on North Island, reports the New Zealand Herald.
There have been reports of serious damage of houses in the town of Cheviot on the South Island's east coast.There have been reports of serious damage of houses in the town of Cheviot on the South Island's east coast.
Wayne Timmo from Hamilton in the north east of North Island told Stuff.co.nz: "The water in the neighbour's swimming pool was left sloshing around for about a minute and people woken by the quake came out onto the street to talk about it.Wayne Timmo from Hamilton in the north east of North Island told Stuff.co.nz: "The water in the neighbour's swimming pool was left sloshing around for about a minute and people woken by the quake came out onto the street to talk about it.
"The cat has disappeared and the neighbours dog is upset.""The cat has disappeared and the neighbours dog is upset."
He said woke to sound of blinds banging against the windows describing the quake feeling like "a long slow, rolling or almost rotating motion."He said woke to sound of blinds banging against the windows describing the quake feeling like "a long slow, rolling or almost rotating motion."
In 2011, 185 died when a quake struck Christchurch. The city's central business district is still recovering from the disaster with piles of bricks, ruined and abandoned buildings dotting the streets. In 2011, 185 died when a quake struck Christchurch. The city's central business district is still recovering from the disaster with piles of bricks, ruined and abandoned buildings dotting the streets.
Memorial plaques marking the spot each of the quake victims died.Memorial plaques marking the spot each of the quake victims died.
The city's cathedral in the main square has been left half-ruined after it was deemed too dangerous to repair.The city's cathedral in the main square has been left half-ruined after it was deemed too dangerous to repair.
The antipodean country lies on the volatile Ring of Fire on the Pacific rim which is known for erupting volcanoes and frequent seismic disturbances.The antipodean country lies on the volatile Ring of Fire on the Pacific rim which is known for erupting volcanoes and frequent seismic disturbances.