Biggest earthquake causes little fuss

30th November 2009

The year's biggest earthquake in Hawke's Bay, early this morning, has been described as a "goodie" but it is not believed to have caused damage.

The 5.1 magnitude quake struck at 1.42am and was centred 10km west of Waipukurau at a depth of 70km.

Geological and Nuclear Sciences (GNS) said the quake was felt throughout the lower North Island, but no damage was expected from it.

A Waipukurau resident said the quake jolted him awake, but did not wake the rest of the family, while another said it was "definitely a goodie". Porangahau resident Hilary Pedersen, who would have been closer to the epicentre, said she slept right through it.

New World Waipukurau manager Trevor Walters said it had done no damage to the store and "must have jolted the right way for our shelves". Central Hawke's Bay District Council emergency management officer Bruce Kitto said "it wasn't a huge shake" and it was unlikely any damage had resulted.

"It was 70km deep and generally the deeper it is, the less shake, rattle and roll."