It's been about 2,600 since New Zealand's last large earthquake of magnitude six or more.
And that's the longest stretch without a big shake since records began, 110 years ago.
Meanwhile, the Alpine Fault which runs through the South Island is 'overdue' for a big one. It regularly ruptures every 300 or so years, and the last one was 1717.
Why do earthquakes have rhythms, or regularity? Can we predict quakes with any certainty? Is there rhyme or reason?
Joining Emile to explain is earthquake geologist, Doctor Rob Langridge from Earth Sciences New Zealand.
GeoNet's shaking map for the quake that hit Greymouth on 6 April, 2024. Photo: GeoNet
