Moderate quake rocks NZ's capital, no injuries

Emergency services said were no immediate reports of damage or injuries.

A magnitude 4.5 earthquake briefly shook the New Zealand capital, Wellington, during morning rush hour on Monday, but emergency services said were no immediate reports of damage or injuries.

HT Image

The moderate quake occurred at a depth of 60 kilometres within five kilometres of the capital at about 8.42 am, GNS Science, the nation's main geological science agency, said.

New Zealand sits above an area of the earth's crust where two tectonic plates are colliding and records more than 14,000 earthquakes a year, but only about 150 are felt by residents.