Quakes rock lower North Island

Photo / Thinkstock

A magnitude 4.8 earthquake has struck the lower North Island.

The quake, which hit 40km southwest of Wanganui, follows a similar sized one outside of Eketahuna this morning.

This afternoon's quake struck at a depth of 40km, at 3.59pm.

Minutes after the shake, tweets began to fly - particularly between Wellingtonians.

Monica Moraes said "quake season" was back.

"Everyday or so we feel a little rattle here in Welly. Go away!" she posted on Twitter.

"Everything in my lounge moved. Not cool, nature. Not cool," wrote Victoria.

Ben Ross hinted the quakes should stop Aucklanders complaining about the rain, while another user pleaded with Mother Nature to stop "shaking Wellingtonians up".

Quite a big #eqnz just then - first time I've felt one in the chamber.

A very notable jolt just then! #eqnz

It follows a 4.9 magnitude earthquake which struck the lower North Island this morning.

The earlier quake, centred 10km east of Eketahuna, shook the area at 7.46am, GeoNet said.

It had a depth of 32km, and was classed as moderate strength.

Around 2000 people logged a felt report with GeoNet, some from as far away as Gladstone, in the lower South Island.

Most were felt around the lower North Island, with 79 reports from Levin, while 46 people in Lower Hutt felt the shake.