Christchurch earthquake: 4.3 magnitude tremor rattles city

A 4.3 magnitude earthquake rattled Christchurch this morning. Image / Geonet

A "blimmin' strong" earthquake has shaken Christchurch this morning.

Geonet reports the 4.3 magnitude quake was centred 10km south west of the city - at a depth of 5km, which was revised from an initial reported depth of 14km.

Almost 9000 people reported feeling the quake - with more than 80 saying it was strong.

Good morning Chch friends, a M4.3 moderate-shaking quake has rattled across the city this morning. The quake was 5km depth, 10km south-west of the city, and would have been widely felt across Canterbury. We’ve received over 8,500 felt reports so far. #eqnz https://t.co/odxSpRet1E pic.twitter.com/uSj21XHcgr

— GeoNet (@geonet) April 8, 2020

People reported feeling the shake in Pegasus Bay, Lincoln and Templeton.

Melanie Stevenson, of Templeton, said it was "blimmin' strong".

While Elsie Wood said: "Definitely heard it coming. Knew what it was and then had a couple of seconds to think: 'How big is this gonna be'? Thankfully not too bad."

A quiet breakfast in #Christchurch halfway through our lockdown - interrupted by another wee earthquake, as if we needed the reminder 😬😠

— John Pickering, 43.5S 172.6E (@kiwiskiNZ) April 8, 2020

Charlotte Mooney wrote on Twitter: "So preoccupied with the pandemic - forgot we have earthquakes.

"Shaky start to the working day here in Christchurch."

Nigel Young said he also felt the "rumbles", while Karen Healey dubbed it "a Christchurch wobble."

So we're gonna add Earthquakes to the Pandemic now? Seriously, Christchurch hasn't been through enough?!

— Becky Hudson (@KiwiBeck) April 8, 2020