Aftershock shakes Fiordland

A quake measuring 5.1 on the Richter scale rocked Fiordland last night.

The quake struck 140km west of Tuatapere and had a focal depth of 12km.

It was reported to have been felt 200km away in Invercargill, according to the GNS website.

GNS duty seismologist Craig Miller said the quake is an aftershock related to the massive 7.8 quake that shook the region in July.

He said last night's quake was slightly larger than normal aftershocks but was not unexpected.

"Every so often there might be one magnitude five but it is a little out of sequence," Mr Miller said.

He said quakes measuring between three and four on the Richter scale are still expected for some months yet.

- NZHERALD STAFF