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Earth Sciences Earthquakes

Seismologists say seismic activity is largely caused by tectonic plate activity. These resources cover the types of earthquakes, the Richter scale, prediction, fracking, and their impact and effect on the environment and society. SCIS no: 1838390

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Edgecumbe earthquake damage

Edgecumbe earthquake damage

Glenda Swan in her Edgecumbe grocery store, looking at groceries flung from shelves by the earthquake. Photographed by an Evening Post staff photographer on the 3rd of March 1987. Quantity: 1 b&w...

Earthquakes

Earthquakes are a natural phenomenon. They happen because of the movement of tectonic plates on the earth's surface. When a sudden slip between two plates happen, we feel the ground under us begin ...

What causes earthquakes?

Plate movements that cause earthquakes.

Aftershock

Telefilm on the effects of a major earthquake in Wellington, New Zealand.

Earthquakes and volcanoes

Relationship between earthquakes and volcanoes.

Nine days apart

Nine days apart

Were the Japan and Kaikoura earthquakes related?

Tsunamis

Tsunamis are destructive surges of water or waves in a sea, or large lake. They are caused by a significant movement on the sea bed, from an earthquake, a volcanic eruption, or a landslide.

Hawke's Bay earthquake 1931

Hawke's Bay earthquake 1931

The Hawke's Bay Earthquake (also known as the Napier Earthquake) occurred on the morning of Tuesday 3 February 1931. The quake devastated the region, injured thousands and killed at least 256 peopl...

Canterbury earthquakes 2010-2011

Canterbury earthquakes 2010-2011

At 4:35 am on 4 September 2010, an earthquake measuring 7.1 on the Richter Scale shook Christchurch west, in the Canterbury region causing damage to houses and property. Around six months later, at...

The Wellington fault

The Wellington fault

A large sign indicating the location of a major fault line in Wellington city.

Earthquake prediction

Earthquake prediction

Former NASA scientist believes he has found a way to predict earthquakes.

Earthquake then tsunami

Earthquake then tsunami

The Kingdom of Tonga experienced a submarine eruption, then a large earthquake and the threat of tsunami.

Tsunami art

Rozana hopes her art will help people understand the seriousness of tsunamis.

Quake myths busted

Quake myths busted

GNS Science has debunked two conspiracy theories which followed Monday's magnitude 7.8 earthquake, saying they aren't based in science or reality.

Liquefaction explained

A demonstration on how liquefaction occurs.

Fracking linked to quakes

Opponents of fracking, a oil and gas drilling technique, say it may increase the risk of earthquakes.

Insight: 7.8 magnitude earthquake

Insight: 7.8 magnitude earthquake

Monday 14th of November 2016 at 12.02am a massive 7.8 earthquake rocked New Zealand.

Kaikoura earthquake

Kaikoura earthquake

A set of images, videos, audios and articles etc of the Kaikoura earthquake.

Wellington’s first recorded quake

Wellington’s first recorded quake

Summary of 1840 of Wellington’s first recorded earthquake.

Warships help in rescue response

U.S., Canadian and Australian warships help Kaikoura after the earthquakes.

Wellington harbour before the Haowhenua earthquake

Wellington harbour before the Haowhenua earthquake

This aerial view of Wellington has been modified to show the shoreline as it was before the Haowhenua earthquake, probably in the 15th century. At this time, Miramar Peninsula was an island called ...

Landslip caused by 1855 Wellington earthquake

Landslip caused by 1855 Wellington earthquake

Shows Maoris in canoe in foreground. Beyond is a huge landslide from a steep hill, possibly along the Hutt Road in Wellington Harbour Exhibited in 'Wide-Eyed: Early Images of New Zealand' exhibiti...

Wellington earthquake cartoon

Wellington earthquake cartoon

Cartoon shows Maurice Williamson, Minister for Building and Construction, standing near a fault line, which is rupturing beneath him. He says, "Don't worry folks, there's plenty of time to get this...

Earthquake cartoon

Earthquake cartoon

Digital cartoon by Tom Scott on political and social issues in New Zealand and internationally. Title supplied by Library Quantity: 1 digital cartoon(s).

Christchurch earthquake

Christchurch earthquake

The letters 'CHCH' are built from broken masonry and stand amongst the chaos of broken buildings. It is the usual acronym for the city of Christchurch; here however it stands for 'catastrophe', 'ha...

Student volunteer army

Student volunteer army

The organisers of the student volunteer army that shoveled thousands of tonnes of silt in the past year are again mobilising to help those in need.

Railway lines and locomotive after the Edgecumbe earthquake

Railway lines and locomotive after the Edgecumbe earthquake

Buckled railway line and a locomotive flung on its side by the force of the Edgecumbe earthquake. There is a group of men beside the tracks. Photographed ca 3 March 1987 by an unknown Evening Post ...

Earthquake news - now and then

Earthquake news - now and then

This set highlights how differently New Zealanders learned news about the Napier Earthquake 1931 and the Canterbury Earthquakes in 2010 and 2011.

Dr C E Adams

New Zealander Charles Edward Adams was appointed government astronomer in 1912.

Masterton earthquake

Masterton earthquake

In 1942 during World War 2, a magnitude 7.2 earthquake was felt from Auckland to Dunedin. The earthquake’s epicentre was Masterton in the Wairarapa. The main CBD area suffered maximum damage. Brick...

Murchison earthquake

Murchison earthquake

A 7.8 magnitude earthquake that hit Murchison on 17June 1929 was noisy. Rumblings were heard as far as New Plymouth and were caused by land movement along the White Creek Fault.

Identification card

Identification card

The magnitude 7.8 Hawke’s Bay earthquake in 1931 lasted only two and a half minutes but completely changed Napier’s geography.

The Alpine fault

The Alpine fault

The Alpine Fault bisects the South Island, forming the western edge of the snow-covered Southern Alps. It forms a clear topographic feature on this satellite image. Although New Zealand’s main geol...

Seismologists in prison

Seismologists in prison

Seismologist specialise in the study of earthquakes, and their results such as tsunamis and landslides. So far seismologists have not been able to predict earthquakes.

Earthquake in Italy

Earthquake in Italy

This is a report on the earthquake that hit Italy on 13 January 1915. The reporter was in Rome when the earthquake took place. He then proceeded to Avezzano, the centre of the quake. He writes abou...

Facts about earthquakes

Facts about earthquakes

This report in the Clutha Leader in 1909 is about areas on the earth’s surface prone to earthquakes. There is mention of the zone on which Australia lies that experienced 129 severe earthquakes fro...

Forecasting earthquakes

Forecasting earthquakes

In 1909, Professor Nowaek, predicted that New Zealand was to experience an eruption and an earthquake in 1911. He made this forecast based on a plant from Cuba!

Accidents & Disasters

Contains images of the 1931 Hawke's Bay earthquake.

How tsunamis work

The science of tsunamis.

The Ring of fire and its relationship to earthquakes and volcanoes.

Earthquakes in art

Music, dance, photography and art related to earthquakes.

Types of earthquakes

The types of movement of crustal blocks that can occur along faults during an earthquake.

Earthquake-proof structures

Students build an earthquake-proof structure.

San Andreas fault line

All you need to know about the San Andreas fault line.

What causes earthquakes?

Facts and information about plate tectonics and earthquakes.

The great 1964 Alaskan earthquake

Historic footage and information about the powerful Alaskan earthquake.

The role and functions of the Earthquake Recovery Commission in New Zealand.

New Zealand quake live

Website giving up–to-date locations and intensity of New Zealand earthquakes.

Infographic on earthquakes with links to useful facts.

A look at earthquake rescue dogs

Some dogs can help save people’s lives.

In the wake of the quake

Information about the Kaikoura earthquake.

The New Zealand palaeotsumani database

Interactive map showing New Zealand’s palaeotsunamis.

The Alpine fault runs 600km up the spine of the South Island.

Ministry of Civil Defence and Emergency Management

The official New Zealand Civil Defence website.

Effects of earthquakes

Effects of earthquakes explained.

Making buildings earthquake proof

Design and construction of earthquake proof buildings.

Five ways to cause an earthquake

Human activity that can cause earthquakes.

Geological hazard information for New Zealand

Causes and measurement of earthquakes

The Richter scale and Mercalli scale explained.

Measurement of earthquakes

What is a seismograph and how does it measure earthquakes?

Japan earthquake

Images on rescue, recovery and reaction after the Japanese earthquake of 2011.

Earthquakes at a plate boundary

Lesson plans on earthquakes from GNS New Zealand.

Rūaumoko

Rūaumoko is the Māori god of earthquakes and volcanoes. He is depicted in this carving near the entrance to the ‘Awesome Forces’ exhibit at Te Papa Tongarewa, New Zealand’s national museum in Welli...

Scientists mark 300 years since last great Alpine Fault quake

Scientists say the last major Alpine Fault earthquake was in 1717, and "there will be a similar earthquake soon".

Seismic engineering

Dr Stefano Pampanin from the University of Canterbury explains seismic engineering.

New Zealand’s hidden megathrust fault

Between 2016-2021, a large team of national and international scientists are studying the Hikurangi plate boundary to find out what risk it poses to New Zealand.

Drilling into New Zealand’s most dangerous fault

In 2014 Scientists are drilling more than a kilometre down into the plate boundary fault in New Zealand's South Island. The Alpine Fault is considered to be at high risk of producing a big earthqua...

Visit New Zealand’s geology and landforms

Use this resource to plan EOTC experiences and explore Aotearoa’s geological features that have resulted from earthquakes.

Is that an Earthquake?

A Ready to Read story about a young boy wonders anxiously whether the movements and noises around his home could be an earthquake, and then, suddenly an earthquake does happen.

Access a selection of fiction and non-fiction Ready to Read, School Journal, Connected and School Journal Story Library titles about earthquakes in Aotearoa.

QuakeStudies collects content sourced from the research community, community groups, peak agencies and other organisations involved with or affected by the earthquakes.

Aftershock - would you survive?

Would You Survive? tested how a Kāpiti Coast family handled a simulated large quake. Presenter and international disaster responder Dave Neru visits Cathy, Brent, Lizzy, Doug and Sam as they live ...

Earthquake facts

Find a range of information about what causes earthquakes as well as some examples of notable earthquakes that have shaken countries around the world in recent times.

22 February 2011 Canterbury earthquake for kids

On 22 February 2011, at 12:51, Christchurch was struck by a magnitude 6.3 earthquake. This site gives you information about what happened.

The six deadliest earthquakes since 1950

The deadliest earthquakes are not typically the strongest ones recorded.

Earthquakes: Ngā Rū Whenua

All of New Zealand is at risk of earthquakes. We can’t predict when one will happen, but we can protect ourselves and our family.

How to prepare for an earthquake

It is nearly five years since Japan was hit by one of the most powerful earthquakes ever. See how Japanese students learn how to prepare for an earthquake.

Protecting your pet in an earthquake

Disasters can strike quickly and without warning. Having the right information is key to understanding hazards and managing risks for you and your pets.

Canterbury Earthquake collection

The Canterbury earthquakes of 2010 and 2011 are among the most significant events in New Zealand’s history. Te Papa collected objects around fundraising, spirit-raising, and creative and entreprene...

New Zealand's historic earthquakes

In Māori tradition Rūaumoko, god of earthquakes, caused rumblings and shaking as he walked about, and European arrivals soon experienced the frightening power of the land they hoped to settle.

New Zealand straddles the collision zone between two huge moving plates of the earth’s crust; thousands of earthquakes jolt it every year.

Visit New Zealand's geology and landforms.

Make your own discoveries as you explore our volcanoes, rock outcrops, features and geological displays.

10 common earthquake myths debunked

Ten common myths about earthquakes exposed.

Pacific ring of fire

This map shows the tectonically active shores of the Pacific Ocean, where many of the earth’s volcanoes occur.

Explore Science Learning Hub’s collection of resources about Earthquakes, including articles, interactives, activities, videos and Teacher PLD.

How Te Papa resists earthquakes

Dr Hamish Campbell sares his experience witnessing the green lights in the sky following the 2016 Kaikoura earthquake.

A multitude of resources from GNS Science – Te Pū Ao based on their research, and including lesson plans.

Natural Hazards - The Alpine Fault

Come and virtually explore the Alpine Fault, one of the world's major geological features. Experts will take you to remote locations to help you understand what causes earthquakes, landslides and t...

Working out where the next big earthquake will come from

Earthquake forecasting is based on maths, knowledge of what’s happened in the past, and a dollop of human scientific judgment.

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