Aftershocks Within Forecast Range, Scientists Say

MEDIA RELEASE from GNS Science
13 June 2011
Aftershocks Within Forecast Range, Scientists Say

Today's strongly-felt magnitude 6.0 and 5.5 aftershocks in Christchurch were within the range of forecasted aftershocks as modelled by scientists,
GNS Science said today.

The two aftershocks were centered on the coast and a short distance south of the fault that ruptured on 22 February producing
a magnitude 6.3 quake.

"These aftershocks were within the existing Canterbury aftershock zone and were within probabilities," said Kelvin Berryman, Manager of the
Natural Hazards Research Platform.

"This size of events is likely to produce its own aftershock sequence, therefore rejuvenating aftershock activity at least in the short term.
We would expect a number of aftershocks in the magnitude 4.0 to 5.0 range on the coming days and weeks," Dr Berryman said.

Aftershock activity had not moved offshore onto other faults in Pegasus Bay, Dr Berryman said.

Scientists had being saying since late last year that Canterbury could expected elevated earthquake activity for many months following the magnitude 7.1 Darfield earthquake.

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