Every year GNS Science locates over 15,000 earthquakes in New Zealand. About 100 – 150 of these quakes are large enough to be felt, - the others we only know about because they are recorded by seismographs.
On 26 May 1840, the
new settlement at Port Nicholson was struck by the first of a number of
earthquakes and tremors.
1900–1949.
| Date | 3 February 1931 |
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| Location | North of Napier |
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| Latitude | 39.29°S |
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| Longitude | 177.00°E |
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| Further information | 1931 Hawke's Bay earthquake |
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magnitude 8.2 Wairarapa earthquake
Aotearoa New Zealand has a warning system for tsunamis caused by distant earthquakes (such as in South America), and a warning system for tsunamis caused by local events. For tsunamis coming to Aotearoa New Zealand from distant places – we receive a warning from the Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre in Hawaii.
DURING AN EARTHQUAKEIn most buildings in New Zealand you are safer if you stay where you are until the shaking stops. If you are in an elevator, drop, cover and hold. If you are at the beach or near the coast, drop, cover and hold then move to higher ground immediately in case a tsunami follows the quake.
Latest earthquakes in or near New Zealand, past 30 days
| Date and time | Mag Depth | Map |
|---|
| 1 Jul 10:45 pm (GMT +12) (1 Jul 2021 10:45:14 GMT) 4 days ago | 4.0 27 km | Map |
| 1 Jul 6:53 pm (GMT +12) (1 Jul 2021 06:53:51 GMT) 4 days ago | 3.9 183 km | Map |
| Wed, 30 Jun 2021 (GMT) (1 earthquake) | |
| 30 Jun 2021 08:24:40 GMT 5 days ago | 3.6 261 km | Map |
Why Do Earthquakes Happen? Earthquakes are usually caused when rock underground suddenly breaks along a fault. This sudden release of energy causes the seismic waves that make the ground shake. When two blocks of rock or two plates are rubbing against each other, they stick a little.
The stress on the mainshock's fault changes during the mainshock and most of the aftershocks occur on the same fault. Sometimes the change in stress is great enough to trigger aftershocks on nearby faults as well.
Hundreds of heritage buildings were lost – either to the earthquake, or the demolition drive to move on from it. The town hall and Edwardian-era Isaac Theatre Royal have both been restored and reopened; but demolition of the Christchurch Basilica, which first opened its doors in 1905, began only in December.
During the rescue effort, 600 Australian emergency services workers assisted with the recovery efforts, including, police, search and rescue, medical and forensic experts. Due to the loss of Australian lives, this event has been included in this dataset.
The Canterbury earthquakes caused a significant change to the natural environment, including liquefaction, lateral spread near waterways, land level changes, and numerous rockfalls and landslides. Air and water quality were also impacted, with water-based recreational activities halted until November 2011.
Government pays further $31 million for Christchurch City earthquake response costs. A payment of nearly $31 million for civil defence emergency response costs related to the Canterbury earthquakes has been paid to the Christchurch City Council, Civil Defence Minister Nikki Kaye says.
During the 4 September 2010 earthquake 377 people suffered injuries, while over 1,000 were injured in its aftermath. The 22 February 2011 earthquake caused 185 fatalities, injured 3,129 people, and 1,293 were injured in the aftermath.
