Two earthquakes strike Bay within a minute of each other

A pair of earthquakes struck off the coast of the Eastern Bay tonight. File photo

Hundreds of people across the Bay of Plenty have reported feeling a series of earthquakes centred near White Island this evening.

A magnitude 4.9 quake struck off the coast of the Eastern Bay at 8.35pm, 15km south-east of White Island, according to Geonet.

The quake, which was 5km deep, was followed a minute later by a magnitude 4.7 shake - 16km deep, 5km east of White Island.

Geonet labelled both earthquakes as moderate.

A smaller quake followed at 8.48pm. The 3.1 magnitude shake was 10km south-east of White Island and 12km deep.

On Geonet's Facebook page, a person in Whakatane described feeling a "small sharp jolt" after the first shake. Another said it was a "gentle sway".

On Sunday evening a series of small-moderate sized earthquakes occurred about 12-15 km northeast of White Island.