A strong 6.3 magnitude earthquake struck Central New Zealand. According to data from the Geological and Nuclear Sciences (GeoNet), the severe earthquake hit 10km north of Castlepoint in Wairarapa at 73km deep at 3:52PM. Buildings shook in Wellington's central district.

Many New Zealanders on Twitter described the earthquake as "long and rolling" which lasted about one minute. Reports have claimed that the giant eagle hanging from the Wellington airport roof and used to promote the Hobbit trilogy fell down because of the quake.

According to the Herald, Tranz Metro announced that all train services across the Wellington region were temporarily cancelled due to the 6.3 magnitude quake.

Based on reports from social media users, the earthquake was felt as far as Hamilton and Dunedin. There were no reports of casualties and damages due to the quake. The epicenter of the 6.3 magnitude earthquake was about 129km northeast of Wellington.

Massive earthquakes likely to strike New Zealand

Massive earthquakes are most likely to strike off the east coast of New Zealand, based on a study by Australian researchers. The research team led by an Australian professor from Melbourne has published a study with a global map, indicating where giant earthquakes might strike next.

Professor Wouter Schellart from Monash University said earthquakes usually happen at the ends of tectonic plates when they rub together. Giant earthquakes will more likely occur in subduction zones where one tectonic plate goes under another.

Mr Schellart reported that massive earthquakes are "most dangerous and destructive". The researchers' global map can help seismologists get an idea of the possible locations of giant earthquakes.

Engineers can also benefit from the research since the map will inform them which areas are prone to massive quakes. Homes and buildings should not be constructed in those locations.

Aside from New Zealand, researchers have identified Indonesia, Greece, Mexico, the Carribean and Central America as the locations where giant earthquakes might hit.

Mr Schellart, along with his colleague Professor Nick Rawlinson from the University of Aberdeen, have been working on the study with their team since 2009.