6.3 quake rattles New Zealand; Hobbit sculpture falls from airport ceiling

An earthquake in New Zealand on Monday shook loose a giant eagle sculpture promoting "The Hobbit" movie trilogy and caused other minor damage around the region.

The magnitude 6.3 quake struck the country's lower North Island just before 4 pm local time (1500 GMT, Sunday) and rattled the capital Wellington.

Many residents of the city were at home because it was a public holiday.

There were no initial reports of major damage or injuries, but three people were taken to hospital suffering from eye irritations and breathing difficulties when chemicals fell off shelves in Palmerston North.

"Due to the earthquake, they've (chemicals) just blended and caused a very, very minor fumes, which these people have been taken to hospital for for precautionary measures," Palmerston North Assistant Area Fire Commander Jemal Weston said.

The quake was strong enough to damage some homes, trigger rock slides and road closures, and knock items from shelves.

The eagle sculpture in Wellington Airport was put up in recent months to promote director Peter Jackson's second movie in his popular trilogy.
It fell from its overhead perch to the floor.

The United States Geological Survey estimated the quake was centered about 38 kilometers (24 miles) northeast of the town of Masterton at a depth of 27 kilometers (17 miles).

New Zealand lies on the Pacific's "Ring of Fire" - an arc of earthquake and volcanic activity that stretches around the Pacific Rim.

An earthquake in the city of Christchurch in 2011 caused major damage and killed 185 people.


AP