Earthquake
Earthquake
Introduction
There are about 15,000 recorded earthquakes in New Zealand every year, with between 100 and 150 big enough or shallow enough, to be felt. The reason for this activity is our position on the boundary of the Australian and Pacific tectonic plates.
Beneath our feet, these huge slabs of the planet’s crust are grinding together in three distinct ways. To the east of the North Island the Pacific plate is being subducted (drawn beneath) the Australian plate. Under the South Island the two plates push past each other sideways, and to the south of the country the Australian plate is being subducted beneath the Pacific plate.
The Blue Mountain fault in West Otago (Institute of Geological and Nuclear Sciences)
Related Resources
Create your own earthquake
Emergency Survival kit
Emergency Plan
First Aid Kit
Getaway Kit
