Scargill residents have spoken out about Tuesday's terrifying earthquake, which trashed homes and took down chimneys.

Geonet reported the magnitude 5.7 quake was centred 20 kilometres southeast of Culverden at a depth of 7km.

The quake, which struck at 6.13pm, had 4300 felt reports logged with Geonet within 30 minutes.

DAVID WALKER/FAIRFAX NZ The Scargill Hall in North Canterbury was damaged in Tuesday's magnitude 5.7 earthquake.

While the quake was centred about 100km north of Christchurch, many "extreme" felt reports were logged by those in the city. It was felt as far afield as Invercargill and Auckland.

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Overnight, two more "strong" quakes" hit – a magnitude 4.3 at 8.24pm and a 4.6 at 8:29pm.

DAVID WALKER/Stuff.co.nz Scargill resident Roly Ryan's home was damaged during a magnitude 5.7 aftershock.

Two "moderate" quakes struck in the wee hours – a 4.0 at 3.03am and a 4.4 at 4.54am.

Multiple homes in Scargill, near Greta Valley in North Canterbury, were damaged, along with the small town's community hall.

QUAKE 'TRASHED' HOMES

DAVID WALKER/FAIRFAX NZ The Scargill Hall in North Canterbury was damaged in Tuesday's magnitude 5.7 earthquake.

Pat Lewis said her home was a "bloody mess" following the "absolutely violent" earthquake.

"I have never felt anything like it. The earlier ones were nothing compared to that.

"Our chimney is down, there's cracks and that in our home. Everything got strewn over the place."



She and her husband, Blue, slept in their car overnight.



Roly Ryan said only two jam jars broke in his Scargill house during November 14's magnitude 7.8 earthquake, but Tuesday's quake was different.



He was not home when the quake struck at 6.13pm, but his wife was trapped inside until their neighbours came and saved her.

DAVID WALKER/FAIRFAX NZ Roly Ryan's Scargill house is "trashed inside" following Tuesday's magnitude 5.7 earthquake.

Their chimney collapsed, a bookcase fell to the ground, and broken plates and glasses were strewn through the house.

"It's trashed inside but structurally it's sound, being a weatherboard house," Ryan said.

Bryn Davies, who lives on Scargill Valley Rd, said his chimney was down and years of memories were all over the floor.

DAVID WALKER/FAIRFAX NZ Roly Ryan's Scargill house is "trashed inside" following Tuesday's magnitude 5.7 earthquake.

"The house is a mess. It's just devastation. Five years ago it was a completely different story, it was just my fishing rod that fell over."

"I will never forget November 22, 2016 I tell you."

Hilary Lewis, who lives across the road from Davies, said the earthquake was "horrifying".

BRADEN FASTIER/FAIRFAX NZ Downer South Island GM Scott Ford inspects parts of Inland Rd, between Kaikoura and Waiau, last week.

"It was so frightening . . . I thought I was going to die to be honest."

'IT WAS A DECENT ROLL'

Hurunui District councillor Fiona Harris said she had been told of a couple of chimneys came down from homes in Greta Valley.

GEONET The magnitude 5.7 earthquake was widely felt.

"People are pretty rattled."

Another Hurunui District councillor, Marie Black, who lives in Waikari Valley, said it was the most significant shake she had felt.

"Things fell down that have never fallen before, it was pretty awful really."

A Canterbury Civil Defence spokeswoman said there were "no reports of any consequences or damage that we are aware of".

"This may just be timely reminder to be prepared and have your kits ready," she said.

Culverden Volunteer Fire Brigade chief Craig Ritchie said he was not aware of any damage in Culverden and nothing fell off the walls in the fire station.

"It was a decent roll. But it wasn't a jolt, it was a roll."

'IT HAD ME RUNNING'

Greta Valley resident Philippa Curtis said the earthquake felt strong.

"It had me running, that one, probably for the first time since the first one on [last] Monday.

"To me it felt like three separate ones in a row," she said.

The time of day meant the circumstances were different to November 14's magnitude 7.8 earthquake.

"Because it was daytime and dinner time . . . [The] gas goes off, then run to the kid in the bath," Curtis said.

Another Greta Valley resident, Belinda Meares, said the earthquake was "not pleasant".

"We just had another one, so that, I think, makes four.

"I'm OK thank you, I'm hoping there's no damage and I hope that little one was the last," she said.