The 4.6 magnitude earthquake struck 20 kilometres south-west of Christchurch just before 7.30, at a depth of 10 kilometres.
GNS seismologist Jonathan Hanson says its shallow nature means it was felt with a jolt throughout Canterbury.
He says the mechanism of the quake is consistent with what's been happening in the region over the last ten years.
However this morning's shake is unlikely to have caused any serious damage.