Another Earthquake Strikes New Zealand
A magnitude 4.9 earthquake has recently shaken New Zealand and particularly affected Wellingtonians who feel they are overdue for ‘the big one.’
On Monday afternoon, a magnitude 4.9 earthquake struck central New Zealand, occurring 10 kilometres (6.21 miles) north-east of Picton at a depth of 35 kilometres, as reported by government monitoring body GeoNet.
Within minutes of the earthquake, over 12,000 people reported feeling it by posting “felt” reports on the organisation’s website.
Known as “the Shakey Isles,” New Zealand experiences around 14,000 to 15,000 earthquakes per year, although most are too mild for people to notice.
October has been an unsettling month, with four moderate or strong earthquakes felt, including two on a single day (Oct. 6).
Recently, twelve out of the last 18 earthquakes have been centered on the lower part of the North Island or upper part of the South Island, causing concern among Wellingtonians.
Historical earthquakes have significantly impacted Wellington’s topography, with a shake in 1855 lifting much of its current harbor and foreshore out of the sea and causing horizontal movement of 12 meters.
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Wellingtonians are so convinced that another major earthquake is imminent that they have named it “The big one.”
According to the Greater Wellington Regional Council, a large, shallow earthquake along the Wellington Fault with a magnitude of 7.4 would result in strong shaking and significant damage across the region.
If such an earthquake occurred during the day, an estimated 500 fatalities, 4,000 injuries, and about 1,800 people trapped could be expected. If the event happened at night, the casualties would likely be lower.
The Council also forecasts around 2,800 homes and buildings could be destroyed, with an additional 100,000 structures sustaining damage in some way.
