A series of mild earthquakes struck just miles outside of Christchurch, New Zealand on Monday. The U.S. Geological Survey confirmed at least three destructive tremors rattled the area in a 90 minute span beginning at 1 p.m. The tremors are aftershocks from February’s deadly 6.3 magnitude earthquake that killed 182 people.
The first quake, which measured a 5.2 magnitude on the Richter Scale, hit at a depth of 6.8 miles about 5 miles east-southeast of Christchurch. The second tremor, a 6.0 magnitude, hit at a lesser depth of 5.6 miles about 8 miles north-northeast of the city. The third, a small 4.6 magnitude, followed at a depth of 7.8 miles around 6 miles east of Christchurch. Multiple other small tremors have been reported.
Authorities confirm at least 50 buildings were destroyed and at least 10 people suffered minor injuries. So far there have been no causalities. The earthquakes also knocked out electricity to over 54,000 homes.
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