NZ Earthquake

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There may be some delay in obtaining a response......

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Only a couple (it's not like the HV distribution network wen't down or anything).

We are all ok.

Sparky I told you not to go any further with those experiments. Were sitting here waiting for the tsunami and your having all the fun. Send a signal anyway. She'll be right Mate. Ky.

Hi Steve S, and other happy readers.

We are OK, and thank you for your concern.

In the early days New Zealand was called "The Shaky Isles", and after several large earthquakes, the early settlers decided to build mostly wooden houses, rather than the brick or stone to which they were accustomed back in UK/Europe, because wooden structures were more flexible.

The larger quake you refer to was near Gisborne, (they have had 2 more quakes since) on the North Island,and here in Christchurch we never felt it:

Reference Number 2839343/G Universal Time December 20 2007 at 7:55 NZ Daylight Time Thursday, December 20 2007 at 8:55 pm Latitude, Longitude 38.86°S, 178.52°E Focal Depth 40 km Richter magnitude 6.8 Region Hikurangi Trough Location

• 50 km south-east of Gisborne
• 400 km south-east of Auckland

Felt widely, especially along east coast North Island

Latest NZ one 20km away from me was on the Sefton fault, and woke our family:

Reference Number 2839891/G Universal Time December 21 2007 at 11:33 NZ Daylight Time Saturday, December 22 2007 at 0:33 am Latitude, Longitude 43.52°S, 172.83°E Focal Depth 15 km Richter magnitude 3.6 Region Canterbury Location

• 10 km north-east of Lyttelton
• 20 km north-east of Diamond Harbour
• 20 km east of Christchurch

We woke with the rattle for our quake, but are OK, thanks.

New Zealand has about 10 Earthquakes each day - one reason we generally do not use concrete for road surfaces - Bitumen seal allows for structural creep, and is also easier to repair.

We are astride the intersection of the Australia and Pacific Plates, which does make for an interesting life.

Thus much of the North Island and west of the Alpine Fault in the South Island is part of the Australian Plate, while the balance of the South Island is part of the Pacific Plate.

Because of the geostructure of New Zealand, many severe quakes are often not felt in close proximity, as a volcanic root may go down 200+ kM, thus reflecting the shock wave rather than transmitting it.

Our Capital City, Wellington, is more than 60 years overdue for a major quake, a good reason to live elsewhere, apart from all the Political infighting.......

It is far better to have many smaller quakes, rather than a build up, until the tremor is major.

I am on Geonet where you can see NZ quake history/latest quakes, seismograph drum records from around New Zealand, Volcanic activity and so on here:

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

So I automatically get reports on each quake.

You may sign up for the Geonet auto advice by email system.

While all those reports are interesting, and eventually a long-term pattern may be seen, the purpose is to be able to analyse historic geological events.

Hopefully that may lead to accurate predictions.

Kind Regards....