Historic Earthquakes

Find out about some of New Zealand's largest historic earthquakes.

New Zealand's Top Earthquakes:

A list of significant New Zealand earthquakes (most recent first):

• M 6.8, Gisborne, December 20 2007 This offshore event caused buildings to collapse in the Gisborne CBD.
• M 6.5, Edgecumbe, March 2 1987 The shallow origin of this earthquake made it very destructive.
• M 7.1, Inangahua, May 24 1968 The 1968 Inangahua earthquake caused widespread damage and was felt over much of the country.
• M 7.0, Wairarapa II, August 2 1942 The shock that struck the Wairarapa Region on August 2 was nearly as severe as the disastrous June 24 earthquake five weeks earlier.
• M 7.2, Wairarapa I, June 24 1942 This earthquake severely rocked the lower North Island on June 24 1942, causing extensive damage to local buildings.
• M 7.6, Horoeka (Pahiatua), March 5 1934 The 1934 Horoeka earthquake shook the lower North Island on March 5 1934 and was felt as far away as Auckland and Dunedin.
• M 7.8, Hawke's Bay, February 3 1931 The 1931 Hawke’s Bay earthquake caused the largest loss of life and most extensive damage of any quake in New Zealand’s recorded history.
• M 7.8, Buller (Murchison), June 17 1929 The massive rumbling of the 1929 Buller earthquake was heard as far away as New Plymouth.
• M 7.1, North Canterbury, September 1 1888 In 1888 the Amuri District was shaken by a large earthquake that reached intensities of MM 9.
• M 8.2, Wairarapa, January 23 1855 The 1855 earthquake is the most severe earthquake to have occurred in New Zealand since systematic European colonisation began in 1840.
• M 7.8, Marlborough, October 16 1848 The earthquake that shook Marlborough on October 16 1848 was the largest in a series of earthquakes to hit the region that year.

Photo Gallery: View a gallery of images from these historic earthquakes.

More New Zealand Earthquakes:

Other large earthquakes in New Zealand's history:

• M 6.7, George Sound, October 16 2007 Fiordland was shaken once again by a large earthquake centred off the coast of the South Island.
• M 5.4, Lake Rotoma, July 18 2004 This earthquake shook up the Bay of Plenty area in July 2004.
• M 7.2, Fiordland, August 22 2003 This severe earthquake generated over 200 landslides and several small-scale tsunami on the South Island's west coast.
• M 6.8, Secretary Island, August 10 1993 The 1993 Secretary Island earthquake was reportedly felt as far away as Sydney, Australia.
• M 6.4, Weber II, May 13 1990 This earthquake was the second large shock to strike the Weber region in 1990, occurring 12 weeks after its predecessor.
• M 5.9, Lake Tennyson, February 10 1990 This earthquake occurred in North Canterbury near Lake Tennyson.
• M 6.7, Te Anau, June 4 1988 The earthquake that shook Te Anau in June 1988 triggered numerous landslides, and even cut the power to some southern towns.
• M 5.1, Waiotapu, December 15 1983 This earthquake reached its greatest intensities around Waiotapu and the Waikite Valley.
• M 5.6, Napier/Taradale, October 6 1980 This earthquake was felt most strongly in the Napier and Taradale regions.
• M 5.1, Waikato, December 5 1976 This earthquake struck the rural area around Korakonui, near the Waikato River.
• M 5.8, Seddon, April 23 1966 This shock was centered near Cape Campbell, but was felt as far away as Hokitika and Taranaki.
• M 7.1, Arthur's Pass, March 9 1929 This earthquake toppled chimneys and furniture in the Arthur's Pass area.
• M 7-7.5, Cape Farewell, October 19 1868 This earthquake caused damage to houses and roads around the Farewell Spit area.