Magnitude 4 aftershock hits Christchurch

A magnitude 4.0 aftershock shook Canterbury this afternoon.

The quake struck at 2.23pm, 10km east of Christchurch at a depth of 10km, GNS Science said.

It was widely felt in Canterbury and was followed by two smaller aftershocks, of 2.9 magnitude and 3.1 magnitude, within the following hour.

Christchurch was devastated by a 6.3 earthquake on February 22 which killed an estimated 181 people and has experienced many aftershocks in the period since.

- NZPA