Experts say fewer aftershocks expected from central North Island quake due to its size and depth

Fewer aftershocks are expected from the earthquake that rocked the central North Island yesterday.

GNS Science says the chances of large aftershocks are less likely to be felt due to the size and depth of the original shake.

The 6.2 magnitude jolt rattled much of the country yesterday and even caused parliament to be suspended while others were sent leaping under furniture.

However it struck at a depth of 207km below the surface, according to GeoNet.

"As this was a very deep quake, you can see from the pattern of felt reports that the energy travelled along the rigid subducting slab on the east of the North Island," GeoNet wrote in a statement.

"Rigid rock is better at transmitting earthquake waves than mushy rock. So when an earthquake happens in or near this slab of subducting plate, most of the quake’s energy (and therefore shaking) travels up and along the slab to the surface - closer to the East Coast of the North Island."

The Earthquake Commission says anyone who finds damage has three months to lodge a claim.