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.
How big 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.
How long did the Christchurch earthquake go for?
approximately 10 seconds
The earthquake was felt across the South Island and parts of the lower and central North Island. While the initial quake only lasted for approximately 10 seconds, the damage was severe because of the location and shallowness of the earthquake’s focus in relation to Christchurch as well as previous quake damage.
What was New Zealand’s worst earthquake?
1855 magnitude 8.2
The biggest known earthquake in New Zealand was the 1855 magnitude 8.2 in the Wairarapa; around 5,000 km2 of land was shifted vertically during the earthquake. The largest earthquake recorded in the world in the last 100 years was the 1960 magnitude 9.5 earthquake in Chile.
When was the last earthquake in Canterbury?
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.
Is 7 a big earthquake?
Learn more about how we measure earthquake magnitude.
Earthquake Magnitude Scale.
| Magnitude | Earthquake Effects | Estimated Number Each Year |
|---|---|---|
| 7.0 to 7.9 | Major earthquake. Serious damage. | 10-15 |
| 8.0 or greater | Great earthquake. Can totally destroy communities near the epicenter. | One every year or two |
What is the largest quake ever recorded?
Mw 9.5 earthquake
On May 22, 1960 a great Mw 9.5 earthquake, the largest earthquake ever instrumentally recorded, occurred off the coast of southern Chile. This earthquake generated a tsunami that was destructive not only along the coast of Chile, but also across the Pacific in Hawaii, Japan, and the Philippines.
When was NZ last earthquake?
Earthquakes in New Zealand since 1950
| Date | Region | Magnitude |
|---|---|---|
| 06/18/2020 | South Of, Raoul | 7.4 |
| 06/15/2019 | South Of, Raoul | 7.2 |
| 11/13/2016 | Amberley | 7.8 |
| 09/01/2016 | Gisborne | 7.0 |
Why did Christchurch earthquake happen?
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. The fault slopes southward beneath the Port Hills and did not break the surface – scientists used instrument measurements to determine its location and movement.
Why didn’t a tsunami occur in the Christchurch earthquake?
Why didn’t the 2010/11 Canterbury earthquakes cause tsunamis? 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.
What are the 5 largest earthquakes ever recorded in NZ?
These major quakes have struck New Zealand since 1931:
- Wairarapa, 1942 (7.2 and 6.8). These two earthquakes caused damage in Masterton, Wellington, and other centres.
- Inangahua, 1968 (7.1).
- Edgecumbe, 1987 (6.3).
- Canterbury, 2010 (7.1) and 2011 (6.3).
- Kaikōura, 2016 (7.8).
Is NZ Safe earthquake?
New Zealand is located in a seismic zone and is subject to earthquakes. Tsunamis may occur along the coastlines. There are also a number of active volcanoes in New Zealand. Flooding and landslides can occur, resulting in road closures and infrastructure damage.
What is the biggest disaster in NZ?
100 or more deaths
| Deaths | Name | Date |
|---|---|---|
| 185 | 2011 Christchurch earthquake | 22 Feb 2011 |
| 151 | Tangiwai disaster | 24 Dec 1953 |
| 135+ | 1st Little Waihi landslide | 1780 |
| 131 | SS Tararua | 29 Apr 1881 |
How long was the Christchurch Earthquake 2010?
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.
What is the biggest earthquake in the UK?
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.
What happened in the Canterbury earthquake?
On 22 February 2011, at 12:51 pm (lunchtime), Christchurch was struck by a magnitude 6.3 earthquake. The quake was centred 10km south-east of the city at a depth of 5km. 185 people died, 164 people were seriously injured and there was major, widespread damage.
What would a 9.0 earthquake do?
A magnitude 9.0 earthquake can last for five minutes or longer, and the amount of energy released is about 1,000 times greater than that of a 7.0. According to the U.S. Geological Survey, the most powerful quakes could leave few if any masonry buildings standing, destroy bridges and toss objects into the air.
What are the 5 largest earthquakes ever recorded?
Largest Earthquakes ever recorded
- Valdivia, Chile 22 May 1960 (magnitude 9.5)
- Prince William Sound, Alaska 28 March 1964 (magnitude 9.2)
- Sumatra, Indonesia 26 December 2004 (magnitude 9.1)
- Sendai, Japan 11 March 2011 (magnitude 9.0)
- Kamchatka, Russia 4 November 1952 (magnitude 9.0)
What is a bad earthquake?
A quake measuring 3 to 4.9 is considered minor or light; 5 to 6.9 is moderate to strong; 7 to 7.9 is major; and 8 or more is great. On average, a magnitude 8 quake strikes somewhere every year, and some 10,000 people die in earthquakes annually.
Was there an earthquake today in Dhaka?
There were no significant confirmed earthquakes in or near Dhaka Division in the past 24 hours.
Where is worst earthquake?
southern Chile
The world’s largest earthquake with an instrumentally documented magnitude occurred on May 22, 1960 near Valdivia, in southern Chile. It was assigned a magnitude of 9.5 by the United States Geological Survey. It is referred to as the “Great Chilean Earthquake” and the “1960 Valdivia Earthquake.”