Christchurch has been hit by a severe quake

The U.S. Geological Survey reported that Sunday’s quake was centered 17 kilometers (11 miles) east of the city at a relatively shallow depth of 8 kilometers (5 miles).

The Christchurch City Council said cliffs collapsed in several places along the surrounding coast, spreading largeclouds of billowing dust across the sea and hills.

“Suddenly the air all full of sirens and birds”, another person tweeted.

No serious injuries have been reported and early reports suggest the city’s infrastructure has mostly held up. Shopping malls were evacuated.

The unwelcome quake comes just a week out from the fifth anniversary of the 6.3 magnitude February 22, 2011 quake that killed 185 people.

Jenny Krex, the manager of a coffee shop in the seaside suburb of Sumner, told the New Zealand Herald that items broke in her shop.

The quake struck shortly after 1pm (11am AEDT) on Sunday, GeoNet said.

Geonet said there were more than 40 aftershocks.

She said quakes had been progressively moving eastwards and this one was centred in a similar spot to a quake in December 2011.

“Our city is stronger than it was five years ago”.

Canterbury’s District Commander John Price said police, fire and ambulance were out in force to provide reassurance to the community and check on roads where there was liquefaction and holes that opened up.