'More damage caused by small quake'

LOS ANGELES, California (AP):

Scientists say the latest New Zealand earthquake caused more destruction than a larger one last year because of its location.

Yesterday's magnitude-6.3 quake was centred about three miles from the populated city of Christchurch.

By contrast, the far larger magnitude-7 shaker last September hit about 30 miles west of the city. Since September, about half a dozen aftershocks greater than magnitude-5 have rattled the Christchurch region. Yesterday is the largest aftershock to date.