This earthquake was the second large shock to strike the Weber region in 1990, occurring 12 weeks after its predecessor.
This was the second of 4 large earthquakes to shake the Weber region, in the south-east of the North Island, between 1990 and 1992. It was felt widely from Hamilton to Takamatua Bay on the Banks Peninsula, reaching a maximum intensity of MM 9 in Tarewa. As with many moderately sized earthquakes, the intensities experienced in different locations were influenced by the stability of underlying soils and sediment in each area. Consequently, poorly consolidated areas experienced more intense shaking and suffered more damage.