Earthquakes are fairly common in New Zealand. We are ‘part of’ the ring of fire, where many earthquakes and volcanic eruptions occur.
There has been some real significant ones:
- February 22, 2011, during lunch-time, Christchurch New Zealand has been struck by an earthquake, 6.4 on the Richter scale. Unfortunate 182 people died in this devastating earthquake.Occurring at a depth of only 5 km, this earthquake damaged many buildings and parts of the famous Christchurch Cathedral have collapsed. A ‘temporary’ Cardboard Cathedral has been built to service the community.
- On Monday 14th November 2016 the 7.8 magnitude Kaikoura earthquake devastated the region, tearing through SH1 and sweeping the Main North Line railway out to sea.
The re-built is still in progress and day by day Christchurch starts to look better and better. The Botanic Garden is open, the Tram rides again and many businesses have set up new premise. You can definitely see the improvements made to the SH1 going towards Kaikoura, a famous whale watch and marine highlight.
A great example of rebuilt you see in Napier. After the 1931 Hawke’s Bay earthquake, it now is one of the best cities to visit if you like Art Deco!
Is New Zealand still safe to go on holiday? Yes absolutely!
In most buildings in New Zealand you are safer if you stay where you are until the shaking stops. If you are in an elevator, drop, cover and hold. … If you are at the beach or near the coast, drop, cover and hold then move to higher ground immediately in case a tsunami follows the quake.
