Earthquakes & Tsunami

Lesson 4: More Recent Seismic Activity

Key Content

• Recent seismic activity in NZ.
• The threat to Christchurch of an earthquake.

Learning Outcomes

Students will be able to:

• Explain how people can increase or decrease the effects of an earthquake.
• Use terminology correctly (eg, epicentre, focus, base isolators, liquifaction).

Film Archive Footage and Key Questions

13. TV3 News 21/04/98 [extract], TV3 Network, 1998

TV3 News, 21 April 1998

6.3 Richter scale earthquake across much of New Zealand, centred 32 km from Taumarunui. Witnesses in Napier; seismological explanation, witnesses at Te Papa.

a. What type of device absorbed most of the quake shock at Te Papa in Wellington?
Base isolators.

14. Nightline 04/09/98 [extract], TV3 Network, 1998

Nightline, 4 September 1998

Scientists claim a massive earthquake in Southern Alps is 80 years overdue. The great Alpine fault marks the boundary of the Indo Australian plate and the Pacific plate. An engineer speaks of bridge construction, and a geologist gives the regional reasoning behind the claim.

a. Between which two areas does the alpine fault run in the South Island?
Milford Sound in the South and Blenheim in the North.

b. Even though Christchurch is over 100km away from the Alpine fault, it could be badly affected when the big one hits. What do seismologists believe will affect Christchurch when the big one hits?
Liquefaction because the city is built on swampy ground. Buildings may sink, tilt and topple over.

15. TV3 News 10/02/00, TV3 Network, 2000

TV3 News, February 2000

Quake Risk - Christchurch residents were told today that they live in the earthquake capital in New Zealand. Earthquake Commission Report say’s they have a 75% chance of being hit by the big one within the next 50 years: David Middleton, Earthquake Commission. Just because there have been no recorded earthquake in Christchurch since European settlement, there should be no room for complacency. Earthquakes could strike any part of New Zealand.

a. How many more times likely is Christchurch to be hit by an earthquake than Wellington?
Three times.

b. What type of soil is Christchurch built on?
Alluvial soil which is prone to liquefaction (ie. the soil turns fluid when shaken in an earthquake).

16. Television Commercials. Earthquake Commission / Silver Screen Productions 1988.

Earthquake Commission TVC, 1998

a. State three things you should do in an earthquake?
(1) Keep calm; (2) Don’t run outside; (3) Shelter under something strong such as a table or a doorway.

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