East Cape shaken by three earthquakes

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Three earthquakes centred off shore have shaken East Cape today.

GeoNet recorded a 4.2 magnitude earthquake at 11.05am, a 4.6 magnitude at 12.25pm, and a 3.1 magnitude at 12.47pm.

The quakes were all centred about south-east of Ruatoria at depths between 11km and 5km.

Three reports of people feeling the quakes were lodged with GeoNet after the first quake this morning.

Eight people reported feeling the first quake, which struck just after 11.05am, on the GeoNet website.

Seven people had reported feeling a strong quake which struck at 12.47pm.

A central fire communications spokeswoman said there had been no reports of any damage in the area.

Bill Fry, a research seismologist for GNS, said the quakes were centered close to the coast line at Ruatoria, which was on the Rakumara Peninsula north of Gisborne.

He said given the strength of the quakes those in the area would have felt a decent rattle.

"They were strong events, and somewhat shallow. The first event was smaller than the second event, so in this situation it makes the first earthquake a foreshock shock, and the second earthquake a mainshock."

He said this meant the quakes would have happened in a similar location.

Mr Fry said he was now watching the seismicity to see if the quakes were "migrating in any direction" indicative of a pattern or trend that would cause any concern.

He said given there was a foreshock and then a mainshock, people could expect some more aftershocks this afternoon and potentially tomorrow.

However the frequency of the quakes would now decrease.

"That's what we expect but we always look for anything out of the ordinary to suggest that's not what's happening," Mr Fry said.