The colours on this map indicate the likely severity of shaking in different areas in technical terms, the ground motion which has a 10% chance of occurring within 50 years. There will be other damaging effects of a large wellington earthquake. Where new zealands next big earthquake is going to strike. The underground carpark at frank kitts park is home to the underground market, particularly popular with tourists and cruise shippers, and now its fate is unknown.
The government said last years kaikoura earthquake had significantly increased the seismic risks in wellington, lower hutt and blenheim. We have set the standard of an earthquake prone building as being one that is less than one third of the current seismic standard. Fortunately, new zealand has a stateofthepractice and strongly enforced building code that makes our structures well designed to cope with earthquake shaking. Earthquakes from the last 365 days that may have caused shaking unnoticeable or greater in new zealand. A speech delivered to rotary club of wellington and victoria university of wellington one day conference in wellington. Wellington s earthquake risk has motivated its residents to help the government make the city more resilient, but costly earthquake strengthening work and surges in insurance premiums arent. New zealands largest ever earthquake was the magnitude 8. The carpark underneath the library has also closed. Community understanding of, and preparedness for, earthquake. Primary hazards are caused by the direct interaction of seismic wave energy with the ground. It is using its emergency powers under the hurunuikaikoura earthquakes recovery act to require building owners in those areas to secure facades and parapets within 12 months.
On friday the wellington city council released a list of buildings in wellington that they consider an earthquake risk. Earthquake bracing baby proofing tv wall mounting brace. Auckland is in that zone, then again it is sitting on a number of dormant volcanos that could erupt at any ti. The new zealand earthquake today november 16, 2016 is one of two big quakes to strike this epicenter moments ago, following several bigger quakes further south earlier this week. The forgotten impact report looks at the ongoing disruption to wellington after the magnitude 7. While building owners will incur costs in making their buildings safer, it will also save lives in the event of a moderate or major earthquake affecting wellington. Another hazard to which it is exposed is that of tsunami from local and distant sources. Added 01 mar 2012 19377 views 991 downloads this combined earthquake hazard shapefile is a compilation of all combined earthquake hazard arcinfo coverages in major urban areas of the wellington region. Likelihood phase its our fault iof home gns science.
Better managing new zealands earthquake risks scoop news. Get an estimate we take care of the little things that matter most. Museum no longer earthquake prone business as usual for lower hutt library deemed an earthquake risk. This is to let you know what is happening about earthquakes and other breaking news around the world, if you have some info please post it thanks mike and rohan. The recent tv film gave me the impression maybe incorrectly that no matter where you are, as and when a big quake hits it s going to be serious. This is the official facebook page for the earthquake commission eqc in new zealand. Pdf the city of wellington, new zealands capital, is exposed to a. Earthquake commission eqc, wellington, new zealand. Some parts of new zealand are more likely to experience severe earthquakes than others. The goal of the its our fault programme is to see wellington positioned to become a more resilient city through a comprehensive study of the likelihood of large wellington earthquakes, the effects of these earthquakes, and their impacts on humans and the built environment.
Five years later, kaik o ura surprised us all in producing the strongest ground shaking ever recorded in new zealand, shunting the south island 5m closer to wellington and prompting massive onshore and offshore landslides. Some 600 people commit suicide each year in new zealand. Between 1848 and 1942 there were regular earthquakes in new zealand with magnitudes greater than seven, the biggest being the 8. L an undersea earthquake can cause a tsunami that can wash over lowlying areas. News rental warrant of fitness for wellington wellington. The focus of this 22nd rotary address is the steps we are taking to improve new zealands management of earthquake risks. It was centered in the cook strait, 20 kilometres east of seddon, at a depth of 17 kilometres. In the event of an earthquake, the eq prone app can also use its building. About 14,000 earthquakes occur in and around the country each year, of which between 150 and 200 are big enough to be felt. The largest city within the highestrisk zone is the nations capital, wellington, followed by hastings then napier. Wellingtonnz mobile app identifies earthquakeprone. Jun 23, 2019 wellington central librarys rare collection of items will be moved to wellington city archive, after being shut away from the public since march, when an engineers report raised concerns about the earthquake safety of the city library. That last one, from 1855, caused extensive damage and ground upheaval around wellington.
There was a time when earthquakes werent a major concern for the new zealand public. New zealand regions at greatest risk of ground shaking. The wellington region tsunami evacuation zones were first defined using the methodology developed by gns science in the report by g. Find out whats happening with our facilities, services, venues and how to get support. If a big earthquake hits wellington, the city could be cut off for four months, power and gas not. One of wellingtons most iconic landmarks, the beehive.
The cinema complex on courtenay place was closed on saturday because of the earthquake risk reading cinemas engineers met with wellington city council officials yesterday, and detailed what was in their draft report they had identified several areas on the cinema levels of the building that could perform to an unacceptable standard during a major earthquake. Includes earthquakes that have been deleted by a duty officer. In high risk areas, like wellington, upgrades must be done within 15 years, in medium risk areas like nelson 25 years and in low risk areas like auckland 35 years. Now the hikurangi subduction zone, arcing down the east coast of the north. Scoop wellingtons central library was shut tonight indefinitely, after the city council yesterday received engineering advice about significant vulnerabilities in an earthquake. When disaster strikes, your life can become upended very quickly. No one is safe from increased earthquake risk newshub.
Wellington city council spokesman richard maclean said the building was less than 34 per. Nov 16, 2016 st louis lalate a new zealand earthquake today 2016 has struck west of wellington. Before the deadly christchurch shake in 2011, the country hadnt faced a major urban earthquake since the. That kaikoura quake was the largest in new zealand since 1855. The study is based on a moderate and a severe earthquake scenario. Jul 21, 20 central new zealand has been hit by a severe magnitude 6. New zealand earthquake officially upgraded to magnitude 7.
Tsunami risks in new zealand can be labelled as being either distant sourced from the rim of the pacific ocean, regionally sourced from earthquakes in the tectonically active areas to the north of new zealand or locally sourced from earthquakes occurring in off shore faults. The wellington fault holocene displacements and slip rates at emerald hill, wellington, new zealand. A cluster of earthquake has been felt across new zealand, raising brief fears of a tsunami an earthquake struck around 4. The worst natural disaster risks facing new zealand noted. Wellington regional council earthquake risk assessment study areas g. Reclaimed areas such as the cbd, miramar and petone are at high risk from liquefaction, higher ground shaking intensity and. Risks are everywhere, and a project manager knows this better than most. Fertility associates fertility associates wellington. Earthquake research to pinpoint wellingtons quake danger spots. Travellers should take care of a few special rules and try to avoid typical dangers. Better managing new zealands earthquake risks a big worry in this trump era of modern politics is that complex issues are dumbed down to 140 character tweets. Wellington central librarys rare book collection gets new. In wellington, since 1965 buildings have to be more resilient than buildings in other new zealand cities.
The map uses colour codes to show the relative level of hazard to areas in porirua. Brace yourself book a free inhome 10 point safety check covering all the risk points and products, ask us about it today. Reading international, which runs cinema chains in the united states, australia, and new zealand, could not be reached for comment. The council publish a risk map for central wellington, porirua, and the hutt valley.
Earthquakes in wellington, new zealand most recent. In the below tableau data visualisation you might want to take a look at your home and work addresses and assess the known issues in your immediate surroundings. Seismic risk forces ministries out of wellington offices. Wellingtons earthquake risk prompts surge in insurance.
Wellington and christchurchs earthquake risk signposts. Subsequent to the christchurch earthquakes the building was rated at 90 per cent of. New zealand s largest ever recorded earthquake magnitude 8. We often experience earthquakes, storms, flooding and landslides. Wellington seismic standards buildings must be built to different standards according to their seismic zone.
Earthquakes is a revised, updated version of a serious book by an expert new zealand author that includes more than you ever imagined there was to know about seismology. Wellingtons bowen house earthquake risk report imminent. Another good general introduction to earthquakes in new zealand with many references specific. Wellingtons underground market to close due to earthquake. Many of the coastal areas of the lower north island will be at risk of a tsunami, caused by the wellington fault displacing the seafloor or triggering a submarine slump. Evaluating the earthquake risk when finding your next. These are how risk are often captured during preliminary identification processes. Geoscientists estimate the wellington fault will cause a major earthquake every 500 years. New zealand earthquake hits near wellington world news. New zealand earthquake 2016 new zealand earthquake officially upgraded to magnitude 7. Wellington earthquake risk map a tableau data visualisation. It is situated in one of the most active seismic regions in new zealand, creating a significant earthquake risk.
Many slips will occur throughout the region, especially if the hill slopes are. Today, seismic loadings for new buildings in wellington must be one third higher than the standard for. The main threats to wellington are from earthquakes on the wellington fault or the wairarapa fault, along with faults under cook strait which would likely cause a tsunami. People could flee wellington at a rate of 10,000 per day following a major earthquake. Wrcrpt96 greater wellington regional council, wellington, new zealand. This speech was given by hon dr nick smith, minister for building and construction, minister for the environment, on 25 january 2017. The effects of earthquakes can be broadly grouped into two categories primary and secondary hazards. Nov 15, 2016 new zealands own monitoring service, geonet, has measured the earthquake as magnitude 7. Many of the wellington regions faults can produce large earthquakes.
New zealands largest ever recorded earthquake magnitude 8. Interactive map showing recent quakes in new zealand. Classified as an earthquake risk in 1995 brick structure major renovations took place in 20022003 which added a floor, a stripped shell to floor joists, earthquake strengthened whole structure, replicated the original stairway, and built 114 new rooms all with private bathrooms facilities. Reclaimed areas such as the cbd, miramar and petone are at high risk.
The city of wellington, new zealands capital, is exposed to a wide range of potentially devastating impacts from various natural hazards. This will help inform a wellington housing standard that will take into account our citys unique layout and earthquake risks. Mar 01, 2012 this combined earthquake hazard shapefile is a compilation of all combined earthquake hazard arcinfo coverages in major urban areas of the wellington region. Review of tsunami hazard, 20 pdf, 11 mb this report examines all likely sources of tsunami that could affect new zealand, and evaluated their potential to generate tsunami, the likely. Up to 100,000 landslides amid aftershocks in new zealand as it happened. Up to 100,000 landslides amid aftershocks in new zealand as. Up to 100,000 landslides amid aftershocks in new zealand. Risks and dangers in new zealand tourleader new zealand. Active faults of central new zealand after figure 7 of barnes et al. Coseismic strike slip at a point during the last four earthquakes on the wellington fault near wellington, new zealand. It was the first us warship to visit new zealand for 30 years, since wellington.
However other faults around the wellington region are also active and capable of generating major earthquakes, for example the ohariu fault, and the wairarapa fault which last ruptured in 1855 causing a great earthquake that severely affected wellington. Of the 185 lives lost in the canterbury earthquakes of 2010 and 2011, 115 were lost in the collapse of one building. However there are always risks involved when driving. Id never seen this topic raised before with regards to where to live suburb wise. Earthquakes from the last 365 days that may have caused shaking weak or greater in new zealand. Earthquakeprone building register wellington city council. The health research council of new zealand funded the university of otago, wellington to develop and launch the rental wof, train the inspectors and evaluate its overall costs and benefits.
Warning over the risk from a megathrust earthquake striking nz. The 22 chapters cover earthquake recording, causes and distribution, tsunamis and volcanoes, prediction, zoning, insurance, buildings, earthquakes and the bomb. Earthquakes are one of new zealands biggest natural hazard risks, with the greatest risk to public safety coming from building failures during an earthquake. The least prone areas in new zealand are in the far north and west of the north island, and in the south east corner of the south island. Earthquakeprone priority buildings wellington city council. All these cities have experienced severe earthquakes since european settlement. New zealand has a reputation of being a good and safe driving destination. Whilst posting on this site today in answer to the old question wheres the best place to live in wellington, i added a bit about earthquake, landslip and tsunami risk. Littlewood said the yellow book created a grey area but stride would certainly. A building with a 50%nbs seismic rating would be expected to withstand, to a similar level of reliability.
The largest recorded earthquake to have hit new zealand rocked wellington and the wairarapa at. Dr smiths experience as a civil engineer is manifested in this lucid. Wellington region combined earthquake hazard greater wellington regional council. Earthquake damage in masterton following the 24th june 1942 earthquake. Latest earthquake forecasts show there is a 2 per cent to 14 per cent, or very unlikely chance of a large earthquake occurring in central new zealand over the next year, but an increased chance. New zealand earthquake today 2016 strikes west of wellington. Major active fault zones of new zealand showing variation in displacement vector along the pacific indoaustralian plate boundary left and the distribution of earthquakes magnitude 5 or greater this is a list of large earthquakes that have occurred in new zealand. Wellington s bowen house earthquake risk report imminent. The shaking was also felt in hamilton, where it gently swayed for close to a minute. Just as christchurch was beginning to recover from the huge impact of the 4 september 2010 earthquake, a massive aftershock delivered an even more deadly and destructive blow to the city. Some of the books may also be available in branch libraries. Cluster of earthquakes strikes new zealand sparking a. Eqc inquiry into handling of christchurch earthquake claims wraps up. Seismic risk forces ministries out of wellington offices nz herald.
Wellington region combined earthquake hazard wellington. The earthquake caused damage to the city including uplift of the harbour, a tsunami in the wellington harbour and numerous landslides around the region. In wellington, office buildings are designed and built to withstand, with a high level of reliability, earthquake shaking with a return period of one in 500 years. We were dubbed the shaky isles 170 years ago and at two minutes past midnight on november 14 we got another harsh reminder of why. The ohariu fault passes through porirua city, but has a lower return period than the wellington fault. Within wellington harbour and on rivers and lakes in the region there may also be a seiche, as was observed in the harbour after the 1855 wairarapa earthquake. Better managing new zealands earthquake risks nz national. If a big earthquake hits wellington, the city could be cut off for four months and power and gas not fully restored for three months, a new report warns. The wellington region is an awesome place to live, but its a little wild. People will often express risk in general terms, for example as getting sick, experien cing an earthquake, bugs in software. The wellington region, home of new zealands capital city, is cut by a number of major rightlateral strike slip faults, and is underlain by the currently locked westdipping subduction interface between the down going pacific plate, and the overriding australian plate. The 25 quake risk buildings on wellington s busiest streets that still havent done any strengthening ged cann and hamish rutherford 21.
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