Hundreds of quakes in Taranaki

8 September 2015

Hundreds of earthquakes shook Taranaki in the 2014/2015 year, the latest seismic activity report shows – the same pattern as in previous years.

There were 251 earthquakes in the 12 months to June 30, says a report by Volcanologist Brad Scott, from GNS Science.

The biggest was a Magnitude 4.1 on 28 April, 2015. It was 9km deep, less than 5km from New Plymouth and 1734 people reported they felt the tremor.

Most other earthquakes in the region were not felt and there was no seismic activity around the volcano, which remained dormant, Mr Scott says in the report commissioned by Taranaki Regional Council

“We know the biggest risk to Taranaki, when the mountain erupts, will be from ash, rather than lava,” Mr Scott says.

Taranaki people can make sure they are prepared for earthquakes by taking part in a national earthquake drill – New Zealand ShakeOut - on 15 October.

The whole country is being encouraged to ‘drop, cover, hold’ at 9.15am that day.

“ShakeOut is a great opportunity for everyone to check their preparedness plans and know the right actions to take before, during and after an earthquake,” says the Council’s Director – Environment Quality, Gary Bedford.

Register for New Zealand ShakeOut at www.shakeout.govt.nz.

Read the GNS seismic report at bit.ly/TRCquake.

“It’s important Taranaki residents don’t become complacent, even though the risk is low that doesn’t change the severity or impact an eruption could have,” Mr Bedford says.

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