Two nasty jolts have rattled Christchurch residents in the early hours of this morning.

The first measured 4.2 on the Richter scale and happened at seven minutes past two.

The second was a 3.7 magnitude shake almost half an hour later.

So far there are no reports of damage although emergency services in Christchurch have taken a lot of calls.

GNS duty seismologist John Ristau says there have also been several smaller and less noticeable quakes

Meanwhile a powerful 7.6 quake has hit Vanuatu this morning.  A tsunami warning was issued for the island, along with New Caledonia and Fiji.  So far there have been no reports of damage.

New Zealand’s Civil Defence says there is no threat to New Zealand.  “Based on current information, the initial assessment is that the earthquake is unlikely to have caused a tsunami that will pose a threat to New Zealand’.

– Newstalk ZB with WeatherWatch.co.nz
– Homepage image Alex Mitchell