4.1 earthquake rattles Christchurch

A shallow 4.1 magnitude earthquake has rattled Christchurch this afternoon.

The tremor, at 3.33pm, was centred 20km west of the city at a depth of 9km.

It had a Mercalli Intensity (the strength felt on the surface) of 6, GNS Science said.

It followed a magnitude 3.1 earthquake in the same area just after midnight this morning.

Residents in the area took to Twitter to share their experiences of this afternoon's shake:

Nothing like an #eqnz to remind you, you're in Christchurch...

#eqnz And I thought it was just fat post Xmas me sitting down on the sofa!

Baby's first earthquake just then. Glad it was a tiddler. #eqnz