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Forum / What would happen if Auckland was hit with an earthquake?
Hi, Just wondering, what would happen if Auckland was hit with an earthquake? Would it be as worse as depicted in Wellington (on Aftershock)? Auckland is on a narrow isthmus, would a tsunami wipe the region out? Also would our volcanoes be affected? Thanks.
Aftershock - October 14, 2008 at 12:30 pm -
Aftershock reply:
Hi Tama. Although the Auckland region is in a low earthquake risk area, earthquakes of varying magnitude are likely to occur there in the future. The most likely source of a tsunami would be an earthquake from the West Coast of South America. There is a 50% chance that in the next 50 years Auckland will be hit by a tsunami. Wave heights of up to 4 metres could appear in the Hauraki Gulf, this is the most likely damaging tsunami for Auckland. Aftershock asked GNS Scientist Brad Scott about the affect on the volcanoes. He responded, “none of the Auckland volcanoes have erupted twice, with maybe the exception of Rangitoto. So therefore we expect the next eruption to be at a new site. The crustal process for the transport of magma from depth in the Auckland area is not well known, and it maybe that a large regional earthquake could produce the environment to allow magma to rise and on the other hand the rise of magma may equally be the trigger for a larger regional earthquake. We do expect the next Auckland eruption to be preceded by a lot of smaller earthquakes, which is why we have a seismic network in Auckland.” See the link on the Survive page for more on Auckland’s volcanoes. Aftershock also found more hazard information at Auckland Regional council website http://www.arc.govt.nz
Importantly the message is to be prepared for these potential hazards wherever you live, so also check out the Civil Defence tips on preparedness via the links on the Survival page.
Poppy - September 4, 2009 at 11:04 am -
If there was an earthquake in Auckland what would it feel like?
aye? - October 28, 2009 at 1:49 pm -
hi i would like to know who & when will be the next earthquake with an tsunami?