Quake strongly felt in Wanganui

A quake has been strongly felt in the town of Wanganui this afternoon.

The quake measured only 3.6 on the Richter scale but was shallow with a focal depth of 20km and struck at 1.36pm.

GNS duty seismologist Caroline Holden said the quake was strong enough to knock items of shelves.

"It was a small one but shallow," Ms Holden said.

She said the quake could have had a site effect, meaning a person on flat ground may fell it more intensely than someone on the side of a hill.

One supermarket duty manager who did not want to be named said he was standing in the drinks isle when he heard a bang behind him.

He said a bottle of drink fell off the shelf and hit the floor.

The man said he didn't feel the quake and thought someone may have been stacking shelves in the next isle but no one was.

- NZ HERALD STAFF