GeoNet says 856 people reported feeling shaking following the 4.4-magnitude earthquake. Photo / Supplied
Hundreds of people have reported feeling a 4.4-magnitude earthquake near the top of the South Island.
GeoNet said a 10km deep earthquake with "moderate" shaking was recorded 15km southeast of Seddon at 8.16pm.
By 9.30pm, 856 people who had felt the earthquake had reported it to GeoNet, including four reports
of "extreme" shaking.
GNS Science duty seismologist Jonathan Hanson said four earthquakes over magnitude 4.0 have been recorded in this area in the last year.
"Following large quakes like Cook Strait in 2013 and Kaikōura in 2016, elevated levels of seismicity are expected."
