WELLINGTON, New Zealand – Christchurch was shaking again Sunday, with seven earthquakes sending terrified shoppers running into the streets, cutting power and damaging buildings.
The tremblors hit nearly four months after a magnitude-7.1 quake caused extensive damage in New Zealand’s second largest city.
Sunday’s biggest quake, measuring 4.9, struck at 10:30 a.m. near the city center, cutting power and evacuating malls packed with shoppers for post-Christmas sales and hotels full of holiday guests.
There were no immediate reports of injuries, the Stuff news website reported.
Sunday’s swarm began with a magnitude-4.2 shake just after 2 a.m. and six more followed before noon. Most were shallow at about the same depth below the surface.