More large earthquakes are likely over the next 30 days

Among a slew of earthquakes yesterday were three major ones - including an 8.1 magnitude quake near the Kermadec Islands.

GNS Science has three future scenarios: the first being there is an up-to 90 per cent chance of more earthquakes.

Seismologist Matt Gerstenberger says it's likely they will decrease in frequency.

But he says there is an 80 per cent probability of quakes between magnitude 7 and 7.9.

Scenario two is only 15 per cent likely to happen, and would see more quakes closer to magnitude 8.

Scenario three is only one per cent likely - and would see quakes of 8.5 or greater.