New Zealand gets a large number of earthquakes so it’s important to be prepared for them. Earthquakes produce ground shaking which can result in damage to buildings and risk to life – and they can also cause tsunami, landslides and liquefaction.
We have seen damage from earthquakes, including in Hawke’s Bay (1931), Edgecumbe (1987) Darfield and Christchurch (2010–11) and Kaikoura (2016). The Edgecumbe Earthquake was felt here in Tauranga, and it was preceded by several foreshocks and followed by over 200 aftershocks. The earthquake caused damage, and dozens were injured, in Edgecumbe and a huge crack appeared in the Rangitāiki Plains.
Bending of railway lines in Edgecumbe from the 1987 earthquake (Source: Archives New Zealand Te Rua Mahara o te Kāwanatanga)
It is important to understand what causes earthquakes, where they are likely to occur and the hazards they create. We’re looking into the potential effects of ground shaking and liquefaction so we can plan our land use to better protect our community, and make our infrastructure more resilient.