Christmas Eve Shakes in Christchurch

On the 24th December 2014, Christchurch was shaken by a 4.0 earthquake at 7:43pm. This was felt strongly across the city and residents reported noticeable movement, banging and shaking. It was followed at 8:46pm by a 3.3 which was preceded by a noise and then a strong jolt. They were centred in different parts of the city and surrounds as shown on Canterbury Quake Live.

Canterbury has a history of aftershocks in the festive season with a swarm of shakes hitting the city on Boxing Day in 2011 and closing down the city centre. On Christmas Eve 2011, a 5.1 earthquake followed by several of magnitude 4 and over closed malls and left some people without power and water.