The 7.8-magnitude "rolling" quake cleared large areas of forest at Lake Purser, south of Dusky Sound. Photo / Simon Cox
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Southlanders are being urged to prepare for a civil emergency as strong aftershocks continued to rock the southern region today, following Wednesday night's 7.8 earthquake.
Four tremors measuring over five on Richter magnitude hit the area this morning .
The first, measuring 5.3 in strength jolted Southland residents at 4.13am.
It was centred 120km west of Tuatapere and was 30km deep.
The second at 5.27am measuring 5.6 was centred 130km northwest of Tuatapere and was 12km deep, the third at 10.18am measuring 5.5 was centred 150km west of Tuatapere and was 5km deep, and the fourth at 11.01am measuring 5.2 was centred 100km west of Tuatapere and 5km deep.
Wednesday's quake, centred 100km northwest of Tuatapere and 12km deep, struck at 9.22pm and triggered an alert from the Pacific tsunami warning centre in Hawaii.
The warning was cancelled after only two small waves were recorded on the south coast of the South Island.
Southland Civil Defence regional controller Neil Cruickshank said the aftershocks were a normal consequence of a magnitude 7.8 earthquake, and 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," he 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."
He suggested that residents checked their emergency supplies and stock up on essentials this weekend.
"We would like people to take the time this weekend to review their emergency plans and make the effort to go and buy or organise whatever they are lacking," he said.
This could range from checking the state of torch batteries and refreshing bottled water to buying and installing fasteners for heavy furniture such as bookcases or water cylinders.
"Every home in Invercargill received a free first aid kit a couple of years ago. If you're been dipping into the plasters and the paracetamol, it might be time to replenish the supplies," Mr Cruickshank said.
The weekend would also be a good opportunity to check buildings for damage from the earthquake.
Claims should be lodged with the Earthquake Commission, while any issues of structural integrity, such as buildings moving on their piles, needed to be reported to a local council.
The Earthquake Commission had received more than 500 claims by this 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 said.
- NZPA
