Fiordland hit by another quake this morning

Fiordland was hit by another quake this morning, the 14th since Wednesday night's massive 7.8 earthquake.

The latest quake. measuring 4.5 on the richter scale, struck at 8.25am. It was located 80km west of Te Anau at a depth of 10km and would have been felt widely in the area.

Southland Civil Defence regional controller Neil Cruickshank said last night the aftershocks were a normal consequence of the 7.8 quake, the biggest recorded in the world this year.

He warned people not to be complacent about the apparent lack of widespread damage to buildings and infrastructure.

"The scientists are still considering what combination of geographical and geological factors have influenced the impact of this particular earthquake," Mr Cruickshank said.

"People in coastal communities need to be aware that the quake did generate a small tsunami on Wednesday night, and that the potential for a damaging tsunami exists with every large earthquake."

The Earthquake Commission had received more than 500 claims by yesterday afternoon, but none was for major damage.

"They're all still looking very small - things like ripped wallpaper and cracks in the ceiling and outside walls," commission spokesman Lance Dixon told NZPA.

- NZPA