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5.5 magnitude aftershock hits New Zealand's South Island

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2009-07-19 17:10

WELLINGTON: An aftershock measuring 5.5 on the Richter scale struck Fiordland, New Zealand's lower South Island, on Sunday.

Related readings:  Strong aftershocks continue in New Zealand's Southland  Tsunami generated off New Zealand after M7.8 earthquake  Strong earthquake hits near New Zealand

The quake was the latest of a series of more than 100 aftershocks which have hit the area since a 7.8 magnitude quake on Wednesday.

The latest quake struck 170 km west of Te Anau, at a depth of 15 km just after 05:00 p.m. (05:00 GMT), the New Zealand Institute of Geological and Nuclear Sciences (GNS Science) reported.

It was felt in Southland.

Police said there had been no reports of damage.

Wednesday's 7.8 quake, the biggest recorded in the world this year, caused no major damage or injuries.

GNS seismologist Bill Fry said the aftershocks were becoming weaker and more frequent, Radio New Zealand reported.

He said the growing number of aftershocks is nothing to worry about.

More than 100 aftershocks have since been recorded.

Fry said that showed the energy released by the first earthquake is being redistributed and the area is settling down again.