More aftershocks hit quake-weary Christchurch

WELLINGTON, New Zealand – Big aftershocks are still shaking the earthquake-weary city of Christchurch, New Zealand, and raising fears of worse to come.

A pair of aftershocks woke many residents about 6:30 a.m. Wednesday, with the larger measuring magnitude-5.0. A smaller cluster hit in the afternoon.

The temblors follow Monday’s 6.0 quake that collapsed more buildings in the city where a devestating magnitude-6.3 quake in February killed 181 people. Thousands of aftershocks have followed that quake.

Scientists say this week’s series of quakes have increased to about 30 per cent the likelihood that Christchurch will suffer another devestating quake within the next year.