Seismologists have recorded more than 140 earthquakes of magnitude 4 or higher since a 7.2 earthquake caused householders to flee low-lying East Coast areas on Friday morning. A magnitude 7.2 earthquake shook much of the North Island on Friday. GNS Science experts are researching the relationship between them and the even bigger sea-floor quakes of magnitude 7.4 and 8.1 which hit the Kermadec Islands - 1000km - later on Friday morning. Gerstenberger said generally after a large earthquake a lot of quakes of varying size could be expected, but over time they would become fewer and smaller. Kayakers, surfers warned to stay close to shoreKayakers and surfers are being urged to stay close to the shore in the wake of Friday's earthquakes and the hundreds of aftershocks since then.

Source: New Zealand Herald March 06, 2021 20:26 UTC