Three quakes strike near Christchurch within two hours . A magnitude 4.6 quake struck at 2:40 p.m. about 11 kilometers ( 6 miles ) east of Christchurch and at a depth of 12.5 kilometers ( 7.8 miles ) , according to the USGS . The first quake was a magnitude 6.3 and the second one Power is out and phone lines are down in Christchurch , a resident says . A 6.3-magnitude temblor struck the same area in February , killing more than 180 people .
Three quakes strike near Christchurch within two hours . The first quake was a magnitude 6.3 and the second one Power is out and phone lines are down in Christchurch , a resident says . A 6.3-magnitude temblor struck the same area in February , killing more than 180 people .