Christchurch and surrounding areas have experienced major earthquakes since a 7.1 magnitude earthquake on 4 September 2010. The earthquakes have had a devastating effect on the central city and the people of Christchurch and surrounding areas.
When was the Canterbury earthquake?
On 22 February 2011, a 6.3 magnitude earthquake struck Christchurch shortly before 12:50pm at a shallow depth of four kilometres. Several aftershocks were reported, some registering at a 5.6 magnitude.
When was the major earthquake in Christchurch?
22 February 2011
A major earthquake occurred in Christchurch on Tuesday 22 February 2011 at 12:51 p.m. local time (23:51 UTC, 21 February). The Mw6.2 ( ML6.3) earthquake struck the entire of the Canterbury region in the South Island, centred 6.7 kilometres (4.2 mi) south-east of the central business district.
How long did the 2010 Canterbury earthquake last?
40 seconds
The quake was felt as lasting up to 40 seconds, and was felt widely across the South Island, and in the North Island as far north as New Plymouth. As the epicentre was on land away from the coast, no tsunami occurred.
When was New Zealand’s last major earthquake?
Canterbury, 2010 (7.1) and 2011 (6.3). While the 2010 earthquake was larger, the 2011 earthquake was more devastating in Christchurch city. Most of the 185 people who died in the 2011 quake were killed in collapsed buildings. Kaikōura, 2016 (7.8).
Why is Canterbury vulnerable to earthquakes?
Sitting across the boundary of the Pacific and Australian tectonic plates makes Canterbury an active landscape. We map earthquake faults and where land is susceptible to liquefaction.
Is Christchurch prone to earthquake?
These probabilities indicate that Christchurch has an overall seismic hazard level comparable to Wellington for medium intensity earthquake shaking. However this level of hazard is lower than that in Wellington for very large catastrophic events.
How big was the last earthquake in Christchurch?
Christchurch and surrounding areas have experienced major earthquakes since a 7.1 magnitude earthquake on 4 September 2010. The earthquakes have had a devastating effect on the central city and the people of Christchurch and surrounding areas.
How many earthquakes are there in Christchurch?
One of the world’s largest natural disasters
Between September 2010 and the end of 2011, 4 major earthquakes and more than 11,200 aftershocks shook the residents of Christchurch and surrounding towns.
Is Christchurch on a tectonic plate?
Some parts of the South Island sit on the Australian Plate, while the rest of the South Island sits on the Pacific Plate that has ongoing tectonic activity driven from the Ring of Fire.
Has the UK ever had a big earthquake?
The North Sea earthquake of 7 June 1931, with a magnitude of 6.1ML and with an epicentre offshore in the Dogger Bank area (120 km NE of Great Yarmouth), is the largest known earthquake in the UK.
When was UK’s last earthquake?
Last updated: Sat, 05 Nov 2022 03:10:02 (UTC)
| Date | Time (UTC) | Mag |
|---|---|---|
| 2022/10/19 | 19:33:30.4 | 1.0 |
| 2022/10/18 | 02:47:41.7 | 0.6 |
| 2022/10/14 | 16:28:10.8 | 0.3 |
| 2022/10/14 | 05:04:47.9 | 0.8 |
Was there an earthquake in Christchurch in 2010?
At 4:35 am on Saturday 4 September 2010, the Canterbury region was rocked by a magnitude 7.1 earthquake. The earthquake was based near Darfield, about 40 kms west of Christchurch. Many buildings were damaged, but only one person died and few people were injured.
Where is the safest place in NZ?
Wellington. Wellington, the capital of New Zealand, has been dubbed the safest large city in the country, and consistently ranks among one of the safest cities anywhere in the world.
Is NZ overdue for a big earthquake?
Two tectonic plates meet beneath New Zealand’s west coast. Scientific analysis shows there’s been a major earthquake along the fault line every 300 years, and NZ is overdue.
Is NZ due for a big earthquake?
Researchers studying the region say there is a one in four chance of a ‘megaquake’ occurring along New Zealand’s largest fault line within the next 50 years. One of New Zealand’s most powerful earthquakes in the past was the 2016 Kaikoura earthquake which was 7.8 on the Richter scale.
Is Christchurch on a fault line?
The Christchurch Fault is an active seismic fault running under the city of Christchurch in the middle of New Zealand’s South Island. It runs from an area close to Riccarton, under the Central City, through the eastern suburbs off the coast of New Brighton.
Why wasn’t there a tsunami after the Christchurch earthquake?
The September 2010, February 2011 and June 2011 earthquakes did not cause tsunamis because they happened on land and did not disrupt the sea floor. The December 2011 and February 2016 earthquakes were off the coast, in Pegasus Bay, but the movement on the earthquake faults was entirely under the sea floor.
What caused the 2011 Canterbury earthquake?
Fault beneath the Port Hills
The earthquake was caused by the rupture of a 15-kilometre-long fault along the southern edge of the city, from Cashmere to the Avon–Heathcote estuary.
Where in NZ gets the most earthquakes?
Alpine Fault
- The Alpine Fault is one of the largest sources of seismic, or earthquake, hazards in Aotearoa New Zealand. Historically, when this fault ruptures, it produces an earthquake of about magnitude 8.0.
- History of ruptures.
- The Alpine Fault has a high probability of rupturing in the next 50 years.
Where in New Zealand gets the most earthquakes?
The largest city within the highest-risk zone is the nation’s capital, Wellington, followed by Napier then Hastings. All these cities have experienced severe earthquakes since European settlement. About 14,000 earthquakes occur in and around the country each year, of which between 150 and 200 are big enough to be felt.