What caused the New Zealand earthquake 2010?
The earthquake’s epicentre was located some 25 miles (40 km) west of Christchurch near the town of Darfield, and the focus was located about 6 miles (10 km) beneath the surface. It was caused by right-lateral movement along a previously unknown regional strike-slip fault in the western section of the Canterbury Plains.
What caused the earthquake in New Zealand 2011?
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.
How long did the New Zealand earthquake last?
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.
How many people were affected by the NZ earthquake 2011?
There were 185 deaths as a result of the earthquake, and 6,659 major injuries (in the first 24 hours). According to the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs, 8,000 Australians were registered as being in the Canterbury region during this period. Of these, 350 were registered as being in Christchurch.
What causes earthquakes where does the enormous energy that causes the shaking motion come from?
Earthquakes are usually caused when underground rock suddenly breaks and there is rapid motion along a fault. This sudden release of energy causes the seismic waves that make the ground shake.
How did the 2011 Christchurch earthquake affect people?
The 22 February 2011 earthquake caused 185 fatalities, injured 3,129 people, and 1,293 were injured in the aftermath. Apart from physical injuries, international literature suggests that psychosocial recovery after a disaster can take five to ten years. A key reason for this is that a double blow often occurs.
What was the deadliest earthquake in NZ?
Hawke’s Bay, 1931
This magnitude 7.8 earthquake struck at 10.48 a.m. on 3 February 1931. It was New Zealand’s deadliest, crippling Napier and Hastings.
What was the worst earthquake in New Zealand?
At 9:11pm, on 23 January 1855, the southern part of the North Island was struck by a magnitude 8.2 earthquake, the most powerful ever recorded in New Zealand.
What is the biggest earthquake ever recorded in New Zealand?
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.
What are the 5 effects of earthquakes?
why are earthquakes dangerous? The damage caused by earthquakes is from ground shaking, ground rupture, landslides, tsunamis, and liquefaction. Earthquake damage from fires is the most important secondary effect.
What are 3 main causes of earthquakes?
They account for most earthquakes worldwide and usually occur at the boundaries of tectonic plates.
- Induced Earthquakes. Induced quakes are caused by human activity, like tunnel construction, filling reservoirs and implementing geothermal or fracking projects.
- Volcanic Earthquakes.
- Collapse Earthquakes.
What were the long term consequences of the 2011 Christchurch earthquake?
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.
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).
Which part of New Zealand has no earthquake?
The subduction zone in northern New Zealand, including the Hikurangi subduction zone and its northern extension in the Kermadec Trench, has not experienced any megathrust earthquakes (Mw > 8) in the known history.
What is New Zealand worst natural disaster?
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 |
Is a 10.0 earthquake possible?
No, earthquakes of magnitude 10 or larger cannot happen. The magnitude of an earthquake is related to the length of the fault on which it occurs. That is, the longer the fault, the larger the earthquake.
How many earthquakes has New Zealand had in the last 24 hours?
Quakes in the past 24 hours:
7 quakes between magnitude 3 and 4. 23 quakes between magnitude 2 and 3.
How do earthquakes affect human health?
Earthquakes can have immediate and long-term impacts on health. Immediate health impacts include: trauma-related deaths and injuries from building collapse; trauma-related deaths and injuries from the secondary effects of the earthquake, like drowning from tsunamis or burns from fires.
Why ground shaking happened to our country?
The tectonic plates are always slowly moving, but they get stuck at their edges due to friction. When the stress on the edge overcomes the friction, there is an earthquake that releases energy in waves that travel through the earth’s crust and cause the shaking that we feel.
What causes shaking during an earthquake?
What is the poorest town in NZ?
Kawerau
Kawerau is New Zealand’s poorest town. It has the country’s lowest average income, its highest share of sole parents and beneficiaries, and has been dominated for 30 years by the Mongrel Mob.
Is NZ safe to live?
In New Zealand, the Crime Rate is Low
By global standards around crime and violence, most of New Zealand is safe and peaceful. The Global Peace Index usually rates New Zealand as the second safest country in the world. The New Zealand crime rate even decreased in 2020 and 2021.
Has New Zealand ever had a tornado?
The most damaging and lethal tornado in New Zealand occurred at Frankton (Hamilton) on 25 August, 1948. The tornado carved a 100–200 m swath through the suburb, causing 3 deaths, 12 injuries, damaging 150 houses and 50 businesses with an overall damage cost of $60 million.
Is New Zealand safe?
What would a 20.0 earthquake do?
You would feel the shaking for at least five minutes, and aftershocks would go on for hours. Tsunamis and volcanic eruptions would be taking place, more earthquakes would likely be triggered — and the whole world would be falling apart, literally.