A number of active fault lines run underneath Taranaki. Scores of earthquakes are recorded each year, though few of them are significant enough to be felt by people.
However, a large, damaging earthquake could occur at any time, and may be followed by aftershocks that continue for days or weeks.
Most earthquake-related injuries and deaths result from falling debris, flying glass and collapsing structures such as buildings and bridges. Earthquakes can also trigger landslides, avalanches, flash floods, fires and tsunami.
This page has advice on what to do to prepare for and to cope with a significant earthquake, and background information on seismic activity in Taranaki.
Before an earthquake
Getting ready before an earthquake strikes will help reduce damage to your home and business and help you survive.
- Develop a Household Emergency Plan. Assemble and maintain your emergency survival Items for your home and workplace, as well as a portable getaway kit.
- Practice Drop, Cover and Hold.
- Identify safe places within your home, school or workplace - such as under a sturdy table, or next to an interior wall. The safe place should be within a few steps or two metres to avoid injury from flying debris.
- Check your household insurance policy for cover and amount.
- Seek qualified advice to make sure your house is secured to its foundations and ensure any renovations comply with the New Zealand Building Code.
- Quake-safe your home - secure heavy items of furniture to the floor or wall.
Useful links
Household emergency plan
Emergency survival items and getaway kit
Get your pets thru too
Quake-safe your home
During an earthquake
- If you are inside a building, move no more than a few steps, drop, cover and hold. Stay indoors till the shaking stops and you are sure it is safe to exit. In most buildings in New Zealand you are safer if you stay where you are until the shaking stops.
- If you are in an elevator, drop, cover and hold. When the shaking stops, try and get out at the nearest floor if you can safely do so.
- If you are outside, move no more than a few steps away from buildings, trees, streetlights and power lines, then drop, cover and hold.
- If you are at the beach or near the coast, drop, cover and hold then move to higher ground immediately in case a tsunami follows the quake.
- If you are driving, pull over to a clear location, stop and stay there with your seatbelt fastened until the shaking stops. Once the shaking stops, proceed with caution and avoid bridges or ramps that might have been damaged.
- If you are in a mountainous area or near unstable slopes or cliffs, be alert for falling debris or landslides.
After an earthquake
- Listen to your local radio stations as emergency management officials will be broadcasting the most appropriate advice for your community and situation.
- Expect to feel aftershocks.
- Check yourself for injuries and get first aid if necessary. Help others if you can.
- Be aware that electricity supply could be cut, and fire alarms and sprinkler systems can go off in buildings during an earthquake even if there is no fire. Check for, and extinguish, small fires.
- If you are in a damaged building, try to get outside and find a safe, open place. Use the stairs, not the elevators.
- Watch out for fallen power lines or broken gas lines, and stay out of damaged areas.
- Only use the phone for short essential calls to keep the lines clear for emergency calls.
- If you smell gas or hear a blowing or hissing noise, open a window, get everyone out quickly and turn off the gas if you can. If you see sparks, broken wires or evidence of electrical system damage, turn off the electricity at the main fuse box if it is safe to do so.
- Keep your animals under your direct control as they can become disorientated. Take measures to protect your animals from hazards, and to protect other people from your animals.
- If your property is damaged, take notes and photographs for insurance purposes. If you rent your property, contact your landlord and your contents insurance company as soon as possible.
Useful links
Understanding the hazard
We record around 200 earthquakes per year in Taranaki with only some of these being felt. Taranaki has a number of active fault lines particularly in the Inglewood, Waverley and Oaonui areas as well as off-shore.
Ruptures on the Inglewood fault have seen vertical movements of 1-2m whilst the Waverley fault can produce vertical movements of 3m+. The likelihood of these events is described in the hazard and risk analysis as 'possible'.
Information on the latest earthquakes can also be viewed on the GeoNet website which draws on information from the Taranaki Volcano - Seismic Network and the national network of seismographs.
You can also submit a full report at the GeoNet site.
