alyj

Can anyone tell me about the possibility of an earthquake in NZ, or is it just 'scaremongering' on the met's site?

TeamEmbo

As far as I know NZ has around 17,000 earthquakes a year. Obviously the majority of them aren't anything to write home about!

happynz

There is always the probability of a huge earthquake in New Zealand. When it happens and where, it's hard to say, only that some day it will happen. Fortunately, most New Zealand housing stock is wood framed so if the shaking starts you are unlikely to end up under a pile of bricks.

Wilma & co

Have a look at www.geonet.org.nz/earthquake. Tells you all the details of the most recent earthquakes and also how many people have reported feeling them - often less than 10. I've only been aware of 1 quake since we arrived here, about 16 months ago - and that felt more like a heavy lorry driving past the house!
As happynz says, the 'big one' is out there somewhere, sometime but I figure my kids will probably drive me into an early grave before the quake gets me!!

zoej

NZ is conveniently placed at the boundary of some tectonic plates - so we have plenty of Natural Hazards - Earthquakes, Volcanoes and risks of Landslides and Tsunamis!

The GNS website - parent of Geonet gives a good geological background on top of Geonet's hazard monitoring.

Depending on where you choose to live depends on how much you will encounter earthquakes etc. Historically there have been some pretty big ones - but deaths are very low in recent years! These wooden houses flex quiet well! They suspect wellington is overdue - but could happen next week or in another 50 years! Most quakes go unnoticed or are fairly mild - i.e the Gisbourne Quake in December was felt here in Wellington - but didn't even tilt the pictures!

I will be honest the lifestyle is worth the risk any day of the week!!

Maz

I've not felt a quake yet... missed the Picton one last Friday by one hour as we were already on board the Interislander by then.

Yep the geomet site is the place to check for recent activity.

Interesting factoid: Mt Ruapehu is a vent for its volcano, which sits right under Taupo...

Tan0410

A boring question I know...but feel I need to ask as I am a born worrier. Hoping that changes a little with a more laidback lifestyle. Anyway:

Do insurance policies cover for earthquake damage as a matter of course or is it something you have to seek out?



Tan

Maz

Erm... dunno! I just read ours to see what exactly was covered and if that type of damage was not included, I would have wanted a rider added.

P18PPS

Don't tell the hubbie 'cause his ego will explode, but the earth moves for me most saturday nights!!!

zoej

Yes your house insurance has a part which goes to the EQC - www.wqc.govt.nz which has been set up by the government to cover all residential damage caused by natural disasters - i.e earthquake, Volcanoes, Landslides etc

so no worries about making claims if anything does happen!

Another interesting fact - Auckland regional council are currently simulating a natural disaster where a volcanoes erupts in the middle of an Auckland residential area!

http://www.geonet.org.nz/volcano/ruaumoko/

So at least they will know what to do!
Last year they did a Wellington earthquake exercise!

brussels_sprout

Just before Xmas there was a 6.8 (BIG BIG BIG) off Gisborne, but it was quite a deep one, there was some disruption and damage, one woman died from a heart attack. I felt it in Wellington, it was like a lorry going past but built in intensity, it lasted for about 20 seconds. The house shook a little, AND THIS WAS 850 km AWAY ! I have read that during bad earthquakes, the ground forms a "wave" pattern.

kamburu pat

Brussels Sprout,
My friends live in Gisborne and experienced the quake last December, it was their first one, one of them was doing some gardening and he described the lawn as rippling, things fell off the walls but no damage to their house, which was a new one. The manager of the Senator motor inn there, Olive, was having her nails done prior to her wedding next day, when part of the ceiling fell in! Six shops were damaged and had to be closed.
My son in Wellington told me there are regular quakes there but no serious ones so far.
Pat.

brussels_sprout

It is the fires and the tsunamis that kill more people after the earthquake, anyway. A couple of months ago, i went to a beach in Wairarapa and it said beware of any tsunami alerts, gulp ! But in one year I have only felt that one ! But there are tiny earthquakes in England too, but no danger of "The Big One" like here

ex_exile

Seriously? How long have you lived in the lower north island.

All home insurance includes a government levy to pay for earthquake damage, so yes.

Chances of major eartquake in NZ are very good, its been deathly quiet round here of late which isnt a good thing.

Kippers

I did hear once that they had lasers directed across Wellington measuring the gradual deflection along the Wellington fault line.

It was supposed to give them an idea of when the two halves were so distorted they would snap (so to speak).

Not heard anything about this lately


Kip