According to The Associated Press and The New Zealand Herald,a earthquake at the magnitude of 6.6 to 6.8 on the Richter scale shook New Zealand on December 20th. The quake centered around an undersea trench called Hikurangi beneath the North Island. The Institute of Geological and Nuclear Science said the quake occurred 25 miles below sea, about 30 miles from the city Gisborne, which is situated on the coast. Darkness enveloped Gisborne for about 40 minutes after the 1st quake, but now they are back up and running. This earthquake was about the same size as the Edgecombe earthquake of '87. The quake in December was felt throughout the lower part of the North Island, and the upper part of the South Island.
New Zealand is situated on the ridge of two tectonic plates, and over 14,000 happen a year. Only about 150 can be felt by those living on the islands.
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