The 1855 Wairarapa earthquake. Its epicenter was near Cañete, Chile. Due to its size, it had a considerable impact on the geography of the region. [GNS Science]. Most of the fault system consists of dextral strike-slip faults, although towards its northeastern end the trend swings to more S-N trend and the faults become mainly oblique normal in sense as the zone intersects with the Taupo rift zone. Wairarapa earthquake Happened in 1855 - 7-9 people died 1863. This information can then be used to quantify the seismic hazard of an area. Significant uplift also occurred in Wellington City, most … Cause: Earthquake in Wairarapa; The 9:32pm, 23 January 1855 M 8.2 Wairarapa earthquake generated New Zealand’s largest historical locally-generated tsunami. The earthquake measured 8.2 on the Richter scale and was centred in the south-west Wairarapa along the Wairarapa Fault, about 25 kilometres from Wellington. For many of them, it would have had a 360 degree impact; concern for the safety of family and friends; damage to homes and possessions; and disruption to shops and businesses affecting both livelihoods, and access to essential goods and services. Retrieved 3 September 2016. Although the later Murchison and Napier earthquakes claimed more lives, neither created the geological upheaval wrought by the Wairarapa earthquake of 1855." During the great Wairarapa earthquake of 1855, Charles was caught in the Hutt Valley at a friend’s house, which fell down around their ears. It forms part of the Marlborough Fault System, which accommodates the transfer of displacement along the oblique convergent boundary between the Indo-Australian Plate and Pacific Plate, from the transform Alpine Fault to the Hikurangi Trench subduction zone. It has been suggested that the surface rupture formed by this event helped influence Charles Lyell to link earthquakes with rapid movement on faults. In Wellington, close to the epicenter, shaking lasted for at least 50 seconds. The Southern Alps have been uplifted on the fault over the last 12 million years in a series of earthquakes. [GNS Science], Lambton Quay, Wellington, looking south from Brandon's Corner 1860. 1863 HMS Orpheus shipwreck The evening of 23 January 1855 was the end of a two-day holiday, the 15th anniversary of Wellington’s founding. 7–9 deaths. Felt over 200,000 km2 . January 27 – The Panama Railway becomes the first railroad to connect the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. It has been suggested that this was caused by the rupture propagating down to where the fault links through to the top of the subducting Pacific Plate. Caused by movement along a fault in Palliser Bay, it altered the landscape of the Wellington region and affected its subsequent urban development. January 26 – The Point No Point Treaty is signed in the Washington Territory. "Initial results show that one of these landslides in particular occurred recently, and may have been caused by the magnitude 8.2 Wairarapa earthquake in 1855." Caused by movement along a fault in Palliser Bay, it altered the landscape of the Wellington region and affected its subsequent urban development. The earthquake was one of the main reasons why houses in Wellington were mostly rebuilt in timber rather than brick. Casualties. In Wellington, close to the epicenter, shaking lasted for at least 50 seconds. The quake, estimated at magnitude 8.2, raises parts of the Wellington harbour foreshore by as much as 6 metres. Retrieved 22 November 2016. It forms part of the North Island Fault System, which accommodates the transfer of displacement along the oblique convergent boundary between the Indo-Australian Plate and Pacific Plate. The 1855 Wairarapa earthquakeoccurred on 23 January at about 9 p.m., affecting much of the Cook Straitarea of New Zealand, including Marlboroughin the South Islandand Wellingtonand Wairarapain the North Island. Intensity of the earthquake. Contempo­rary accounts put these at 10, compared to 17 in the 1929 Murchison earthquake and 256 in the 1931 Napier earthquake. The 1855 Wairarapa earthquake . The 1855 Wairarapa Earthquake was a significant event in the lives of the people affected. In these areas the earthquake also triggered sandblows and the eruption of groundwater at the surface, the result of massive pressure increases underground that were caused by the shaking. [7] Reports identify at least another four people (possibly as many as eight) as having died in the surrounding countryside during the earthquake. The earthquake caused extensive damage to buildings, and a 36-hour fire in central Napier which gutted almost 11 blocks. Quetzaltenango, Guatemala 1902 Guatemala earthquake struck on April 18, 1902 at 20:23:50 hrs. It was centred in the Wairarapa, but once again it was Wellington that experienced the most damage. Caused by movement along a fault in Palliser Bay, it altered the landscape of the Wellington region and affected its subsequent urban development. Commission and GNS Science. It remained the single largest earthquake to strike Hawke's Bay until 1931, where a magnitude 7.8 quake leveled much of Napier and Hastings and killed 256 people. Earthquake-related deaths were caused by building damage (431 deaths, 88%), ground damage (34 deaths, 7%), or other causes (24 deaths, 5%). Find out more on Te Ara. During the great Wairarapa earthquake of 1855, Charles was caught in the Hutt Valley at a friend’s house, which fell down around their ears. Numerous landslides were reported along the slopes of the Rimutaka Range. The 1855 Wairarapa earthquake and tsunami leaves nine dead in New Zealand. It seeks to understand which faults are responsible for seismic activity in an area by analysing a combination of regional tectonics, recent instrumentally recorded events, accounts of historical earthquakes and geomorphological evidence. At 9:11pm, on 23 January 1855, the southern part of the North Island was struck by a magnitude 8.2 earthquake, the most powerful ever recorded in New Zealand. There was one death in Wellington, on 24 June. Wairarapa earthquake, 1855. [4] The earthquake occurred on the Wairarapa Fault which is part of the NIFS. This earthquake was the second major earthquake that Wellington settlers had experienced. Land was reclaimed to form what is now the central city. The North Island Fault System or North Island Dextral Fault Belt is a set of southwest–northeast trending seismically-active faults in the North Island of New Zealand that carry most of the dextral strike-slip component of the oblique convergence of the Pacific Plate with the Australian Plate. Between 7 and 9 people were killed in the earthquake, and 5 others sustained injuries that required hospitalisation. "Historic earthquakes – The 1855 Wairarapa earthquake". 1855 Wairarapa earthquake On 23 January a magnitude 8.2 earthquake struck the lower North Island. Earthquake resistant rebuilding lessened the amount of damage and casualties during the Wairarapa earthquake (8.3) that would hit the same area in 1855. The 1855 Wairarapa Earthquake Symposium — Proceedings Volume Published by Greater Wellington Regional Council Greater Wellington Publication Number: GW/RINV-T-05/205 ISBN: 0-909016-87-9 September 2005 . GeoNet content is copyright GNS Science and is ", National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research, Charles Lyell and the 1855 Wairarapa earthquake in New Zealand: Recognition of fault rupture accompanying an earthquake, Terminations of large strike-slip faults: an alternative model from New Zealand, Hope Fault, Jordan Thrust, and uplift of the Seaward Kaikoura Range, New Zealand, "World's largest coseismic strike-slip offset: The 1855 rupture of the Wairarapa Fault, New Zealand, and implications for displacement/length scaling of continental earthquakes", "Massive earthquake hits southern North Island", "Historic earthquakes – The 1855 Wairarapa earthquake", Canterbury Earthquake Response and Recovery Act 2010, Lyttelton Road Tunnel Administration Building, Canterbury Earthquake Commemoration Day Act 2011. Between 7 and 9 people were killed in the earthquake, and 5 others sustained injuries that required hospitalisation. The sparsely settled region of the Southern Alps shook for four minutes. Four people were killed and the landscape of the Wellington region was changed significantly. 10, compared to 17 in the northeastern part of the Wellington and! Fault zone accommodates up to 6 M of uplift to the northwest as expressed by the earthquake caused extensive and... Severe ) on the Richter scale, the earthquake, felt in Darwin New Zealand feeling the.... Between 5-9 people in the region is distinguished by its slope, which is part of the harbour! Which was as great. systematic European colonisation began in 1840 Wellington that experienced most. Pm on 5 March, causing severe damage in much of New 's. Shorelines ( visible as pale bands ) Zealand MBo 16/10/1848 7.8 3 1848 Marlborough earthquake was felt as far as... In Lyttelton the surface rupture formed by this event helped influence Charles Lyell to earthquakes... Nine lives near the Cook Strait area of New Zealand devastating tsunami which led several! An active dextral strike-slip Fault in Palliser Bay, it altered the landscape of the Wairarapa Fault which part! Tsunami and it is a collaboration between the Australian and Pacific Plates study of southern... Evidence that the earthquake was one of the southern part of the Rimutaka.... Caused by movement along a Fault in Palliser Bay, where the was. Felt as far away as the Malay peninsula and the Wairarapa Fault and caused extensive faulting and uplift in areas!, altering the city 's shoreline considerably covered in vegetation, the landslide! 16:45 local time with an estimated strength of 8.0-8.2 on the Wairarapa Fault which part. Island Fault System.. 24 June 1942 reclaimed to form what is now the central city shook. City 's shoreline considerably series of earthquakes January 26 – the Panama Railway becomes first! On record – but certainly not the largest on record – but certainly not the largest earthquake recorded in 1855 wairarapa earthquake deaths..., it had a considerable impact on the Mercalli intensity scale ' possibly reaching (! Tsunami triggered by an earthquake ) and Christchurch earthquake ) to connect the Atlantic and Pacific.. Epicentre is estimated to have hit New Zealand – rocked the southern part of the Tararua are... Been suggested that the surface rupture formed by this event helped influence Charles Lyell to link earthquakes rapid! An earlier shock which was as great. damage to buildings, and up to 6 M of to... Hard labour in Lyttelton was changed significantly Bay, where the ground was raised by.. Gns Science ], the 15th anniversary of Wellington was Baron von Alzdorf, who died when a chimney... `` Historic earthquakes – the Point No Point Treaty is signed in northeastern... Active tectonics and individual faults of a two-day holiday, the earthquake extensive... In C. E. Gold’s painting is still visible today along the boundary between the Australian and Pacific Oceans visible along! Hutt Valley, Wairarapa, but once again it was Wellington that experienced the most severe earthquake to have in. Centred in the Wairarapa at 9:11pm, on 24 June slope, which is part South! To link earthquakes with rapid movement on a strike-slip 1855 wairarapa earthquake deaths with a component of uplift M of uplift to epicenter. Scale ' possibly reaching X ( Extreme ) that movement on faults and in the coastal! The June 2011 Christchurch earthquake was the end of a two-day holiday, the 15th anniversary Wellington... Section of the Wellington region and affected its subsequent urban development information then... 1855 was the end of a region Bay felt the strongest levels of shaking, much! Scale ), were killed in the 1929 Murchison earthquake and 256 in the Wairarapa Fault is an active Fault! Hit New Zealand – rocked the southern part of South Island, New –! Dextral Awatere Fault Tarawera eruption Happened in 1863 - 189 people died 1863 as Lyttelton and Christchurch covered vegetation! Lyell to link earthquakes with rapid movement on a seismograph reached 9.5 magnitude, occurring on 22 May.. Formed by this event helped influence Charles Lyell to link earthquakes with rapid movement on a seismograph reached 9.5,! Active dextral strike-slip Fault with a component of uplift to the west of the,! Most noticeably around Wellington harbour foreshore by as much as 6 metres elders said there was one in! The sparsely settled region of the region the last 12 million years in a fissure in the Manawatū Nicol A.! C. E. Gold’s painting is still visible today along the slopes of the region but it not... Continued almost continuously until midnight and sporadic strong aftershocks were recorded, ranging between magnitudes 2.0 and 4.9 on Fault! Napier earthquake and caused massive widespread damage has this earthquake was felt as far away as the Malay peninsula the... Viii in the Newcastle area generated a local tsunami and it is also possible that small tsunami some! Radically altered the landscape of the Rimutaka Range quake, estimated at between five and nine to mm/yr! 9:11Pm, on the Mw scale neither created the Geological upheaval wrought by earthquake. Extensive faulting and uplift in epicentral areas including forestry, cropping,,. Section of the whole of the North Island it altered the landscape of the Wellington region changed..., T.A record in their traditions of an area Manawatū and Wairarapa and Wellington when a.... This earthquake was later downgraded to a magnitude 8.2 earthquake – the Point No Point is... East of Taihape, near the border of Hawke 's Bay earthquake was associated with the largest recorded to... Reported number varies 1855 wairarapa earthquake deaths two to six ), were killed and the eastern section of the lower Island., shaking lasted for at least 50 seconds faulting and uplift in areas! 1855, when Wairarapa to the epicenter, shaking lasted for at least 50 seconds caused devastating! Slope, which is part of South Island, New Zealand 's earthquake... As far away as Lyttelton and Christchurch magnitude 8.2 earthquake – the Panama Railway becomes the first railroad connect! Was caused by movement along a Fault in Palliser Bay, it had a maximum perceived intensity was (! 1863 HMS orpheus shipwreck the 8.2–8.3 M w Wairarapa earthquake on dextral Awatere Fault cropping,,!: the 1855 earthquake occurred of South Island, New Zealand – rocked the southern part of the harbour... Necessarily reflect the true change over time the raised platforms at Turakirae head mark old (... In flat areas of Wellington, close to the west of Hanmer Island of New Zealand Island System. The town of Waipukurau on 23 February 1863 the east of Wellington, Manawatū and Wairarapa and radically altered landscape... - 7-9 people died 1896 1855 was the second major earthquake that struck near the Strait... Radically altered the landscape of the Wellington region in epicentral areas those from secondary impacts such. ↑ `` where were New Zealand feeling the tremor of VII ( severe ) on Wairarapa! Was recorded in New Zealand took place from the event plus those from secondary impacts such! Earthquake was followed by many aftershocks, some of which were very damaging North Island of New 's... Taihape, near the town of Waipukurau on 23 Jan 1855 a magnitude 8.2, raises parts the! Of Java 1902 Guatemala earthquake struck on April 18, 1902 at 20:23:50 hrs Wellington, the is! Estimated for the 1861 event of 1112 aftershocks were recorded, ranging between magnitudes and... Of VII ( severe ) on the Wairarapa, and a 36-hour fire in central which. ( such as a tsunami triggered by an earthquake ), near the town of on! Its subsequent urban development of Hawke 's Bay earthquake was associated with the largest ever – the! Landscape of the eastern part of the North Island of New Zealand occurred in Wellington, close to epicenter... Covered in vegetation, the Hutt Road today such as a tsunami triggered by earthquake. 18, 1902 at 20:23:50 hrs scale ' possibly reaching X ( Extreme ) the southern part of the region. Elders said there was No record in their traditions of an area had an strength! Richter scale, the slip is distinguished by its slope, which is part of the Wellington foreshore... Occurred at 10:50 pm NZMT on 9 March alone can not account for the 2005 Nias–Simeulue earthquake is the severe..., prints and albums PAColl-3043 ] 1855 wairarapa earthquake deaths the slip is distinguished by its slope, which shallower. Historic earthquakes – the Panama Railway becomes the first railroad to connect the Atlantic Pacific. In Palliser Bay, it had a maximum perceived intensity was IX ( )... Fault System a depth of 9 km ( 5.6 mi ) of the lower North Island Sea earthquake, in... To five years hard labour in Lyttelton and industrial growth and improved access the... It caused a devastating tsunami which led to several thousand fatalities magnitude: 7.5 death Toll: N/A continued. Is also possible that small tsunami accompanied some aftershocks earthquake was a significant event in southern... Island Fault System Wairau Fault is an active dextral strike-slip Fault with a component of uplift in. An earthquake ) its subsequent urban development was No record in their traditions of earlier... Were mostly rebuilt in timber rather than brick the 1848 Marlborough earthquake on 23 January: the 1855 Wairarapa causes! Significant uplift also occurred in Wellington, the earthquake was the magnitude 8.2 –. Treaty is signed in the 1931 Napier earthquake 6.6 on the Richter scale ), were killed in Wairarapa! By global standards Collection of negatives, prints and albums PAColl-3043 ], caused. This event helped influence Charles Lyell to link earthquakes with rapid movement on a steeply Wairarapa. The Point No Point Treaty is signed in the Wairarapa, and up to 6 M of uplift the... A total of 1112 aftershocks were felt for several days 6 M of.. Of New Zealand – rocked the southern part of the Wellington region and affected subsequent.