Christchurch and North Canterbury residents have reported windows rattling and cars rocking while making morning commutes after a shallow 5.1 magnitude earthquake.
The quake struck at 6.45am, with its epicentre 35km west of Culverden.
GeoNet reported that the quake struck at a depth of 7km.
The shaking was initially reported as “moderate” but has since been recategorised as “light”.
As of 7am, the quake had been felt by 2421 people across the region.
Residents took to social media to share their experience of being awoken by the quake.
“Gave us all a fright here in Okuku,” one person wrote.
“Wow, my car was shaking like crazy,” another said.
Another person said they thought someone was “rocking their car” while they were making their morning commute.
Others reported things rattling on the shelves in Burwood, being woken up in Woolston and said they felt a “long rolly” shake in Mairehau.
Someone described the quake as a “window rattler”.
It was followed by a 3.9 magnitude quake 10km southeast of Haast, at a depth of 6km - and another in the same region of magnitude 4 around 11 minutes later.
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