Earthquake aftershocksMost big earthquakes are followed by many aftershocks, especially if the earthquake occurred near the surface. The largest aftershock is often about one magnitude smaller than the main event. After the magnitude 7.8 Napier earthquake of 1931, aftershocks of magnitude 7 were recorded. 12:32 PM
21.4.06
Waikato tornado On Tuesday afternoon, 18 April 2006, a 50-metre wide tornado hit farms southeast of Leamington in the Waikato. The twister slammed an olive tree into a home, breaking windows, then tore the roof off the house. The winds damaged sheds, fences, trees and machinery along a 2 kilometre path. 12:06 PM
13.4.06
Tornado at Paraparaumu Beach On Sunday morning, 9 April, a tornado ripped the roof off a house in Paraparaumu Beach. Part of the roof hit nearby pensioner flats and part sailed over houses, landing near a road intersection. Three people were in the unroofed house at the time, but they were uninjured. 11:51 AM
7.4.06
Hazardous possums A possum strayed into a substation and caused an electricity blackout from Nelson to Westport on Wednesday night, 5 April. The animal caused a minor explosion, and fire appliances were called to the scene. It took several hours to restore power to some areas. The possum did not survive. 2:05 PM
