Christchurch hit by more aftershocks

This bridge over the River Avon buckled during the September 4 earthquake. Photo / Sarah Ivey

At least three aftershocks have hit Christchurch in quick succession this evening.

According to GeoNet, the latest, at 8.01pm, was a magnitude 4 quake centred within 5km of Christchurch at a depth of 9km.

Three minutes earlier another shock hit, a 4.1 magnitude quake centred within 5km of Christchurch at a depth of 7km.

Twelve minutes before that, there was a 3.8 magnitude shock centred within 5km of Christchurch at a depth of 8km.

These followed a 4.46pm magnitude 4 quake centred 10km southwest of Darfield at a depth of 5km, and a 4.3 shock at 9.22am that was centred 20km southwest of Christchurch at a depth of 15km.

Today's shocks were felt widely in the area but it is not believed they caused any further damage.

Canterbury has been rocked by hundreds of aftershocks since a massive 7.1 quake caused widespread damage in the region on September 4.

- NZ Herald staff