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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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Murchison earthquake

Murchison earthquake

The earthquake-damaged premises of H. J. Hodgson and Co.

4 September 2010 earthquake

4 September 2010 earthquake

Looking back at the 4 September 2010 and the 7.1 magnitude Darfield earthquake.

QuakeStudies

Congratulations to the CEISMIC project for getting their QaukeStudies repository live on DigitalNZ http://digitalnz.org/blog/posts/quakestudies-is-live-on-ceismic

What you need to know about making a claim from the Earthquake commission.

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?

Pacific ring of fire

Interactive map showing the tectonically active shores of the Pacific Ocean.

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.

Hawkes Bay disaster

Hawkes Bay disaster

Historic footage of the 1931 Napier earthquake.

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.

Civil defence

Advice from civil defence on what to do in an earthquake.

Wellington’s first recorded quake

Wellington’s first recorded quake

Summary of 1840 of Wellington’s first recorded earthquake.

History's deadliest earthquakes

History's deadliest earthquakes

Here is a list of the world's deadliest quakes in history - which aren't always the strongest - and why so many died.

NIWA develops earthquake research

NIWA develops earthquake research

NIWA scientists are developing new ways to interpret the history of undersea earthquakes.

Murchison earthquake stories

Richmond oral history transcripts relating to the 1929 Murchison 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...

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...

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.

Hundreds of pets missing after quake

Hundreds of pets missing after quake

Hundreds of terrified animals have been affected by the Canterbury earthquake.

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.

Tsunami alert - beach closed

Tsunami alert - beach closed

On 29 September 2009 a powerful 8.0 submarine earthquake took place in the southern Pacific Ocean. As a result a tsunami hit Samoa, American Samoa and Tonga causing more than 180 deaths and widespr...

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!

How do base isolators work?

Base isolation is a technique developed to prevent or minimise damage to buildings during an earthquake. It has been used in New Zealand, as well as in India, Japan, Italy and the USA.

Accidents & Disasters

Contains images of the 1931 Hawke's Bay earthquake.

How tsunamis work

The science of tsunamis.

Can animals sense earthquakes?

History shows that animals can predict earthquakes.

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

Seismic waves and the types of earthquakes.

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.

Earthquake lists, maps and statistics

Links to lists, maps and statistics of earthquakes around the world.

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.

Earthquake forecasting service

Earthquake forecasting tool based on real-time statistics.

Rescue team hazards

Infographic on skills required by rescue teams in earthquake damaged areas.

In the wake of the quake

Information about the Kaikoura earthquake.

Safely ideas for earthquake survival.

Images featuring earthquakes.

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.

Pets and earthquakes

Helping your pet cope after an earthquake.

Getting ready for the big one

Lesson plan on impacts of earthquakes and being prepared.

Geological hazard information for New Zealand

Causes and measurement of earthquakes

The Richter scale and Mercalli scale explained.

Myths about earthquakes

Myths and legends about earthquakes from around the world.

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.

The legend of Rūaumoko, the Māori god of earthquakes.

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".

On shaky ground – introduction

Resources on why New Zealand is home to so many earthquakes and volcanoes.

Seismic engineering

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

Natural Disasters

Natural Disasters

We have no control over earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, flooding, tsunamis, famine and avalanches. Explore how the United Nations (UNISDR) and Civil Defence in New Zealand manage emergencies and h...

Disasters New Zealand

Disasters New Zealand

Explore the impact and timelines of natural and man-made disasters in New Zealand like Wahine, Tangiwai, Erebus, and the Napier and Christchurch earthquakes. Also covered are Civil Defence, suppor...