Magnitude 4.9 earthquake strikes near Haast, West Coast

Nearly 400 reports submitted to Geonet within an hour of the jolt. Photo / Geonet

A "light" earthquake struck near Haast, on the West Coast of the South Island, this evening.

The 4.9 magnitude quake was only 9km deep and had its epicentre 45 km southwest of the Haast township.

It struck at 8:07pm.

M4.9 earthquake has struck near Haast, along the west coast of the South Island, New Zealand. A similar event occurred yesterday registering a M4.7. Both quakes were categorized as light intensity and being reported felt by a few hundred people. #eqnz #earthquake pic.twitter.com/jcGLsxsGhh

— james dyson (@jamesdyson22) April 22, 2021

M4.6 quake causing light shaking near Haast https://t.co/95wuEYwPbi

— GeoNet (@geonet) April 22, 2021

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It was first reported as a 4.6 magnitude quake but shortly after revised to 4.9.

Nearly 400 people reported to Geonet that they felt the quake, as far north as Greymouth and as far east as Alexandra and Roxburgh.

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Locals in Wānaka and Cromwell also reported feeling a "short and sharp" jolt.