5.1 aftershock rocks Christchurch

Photo / Thinkstock

Christchurch has been rocked by one of the biggest aftershocks since February 22.

The 5.1 magnitude shake was 10km deep, centred 10km east of Christchurch, at 9.34pm.

The aftershock was the biggest since a 4.8 magnitude on March 5.

A magnitude 3 quake struck only four minutes earlier 5km deep and 10km west of Lyttelton.

Police have received no reports of damage from the 5.1 rumble. But residents with already frayed nerves scurried to safety under tables and doors.

Police and Civil Defence personnel are checking buildings in central
Christchurch and staff remain on standby at the Emergency Operations
Centre at the Christchurch Art Gallery.

- NZ Herald staff