Coastal quakes

Earthquakes continue to shake the small Bay of Plenty town of Matata.

This morning a quake measuring 3 on the Richter scale gently shook the coastal township which lies near the faultline south of Whakatane.

GNS seismologist Nora Paterson said since mid-November last year, 1100 earthquakes have been recorded in the area.

"The vast majority are too small to be felt. Of the 1100, 150 have been magnitude 3 and 10 have been magnitude 4," Ms Paterson said.

She said the earthquakes have been relatively shallow and many people have been able to feel them.

Last Sunday Matata was rocked by two earthquakes measuring 4.7 and 4.5 on the Richter scale.