Strong quake rattles lower South Island

The lower South Island has been struck by two earthquakes this morning. File photo

Two earthquakes struck the lower South Island this morning.

Geonet is reporting a strong magnitude 5 quake struck 45km northwest of Haast at about 7.45am and at a depth of 12km.

The quake followed a magnitude 3 shake 5km northwest of Queenstown at 5.42am.

Geonet reported the first earthquake as 13km deep, and described it as "light".