Earthquakes & Tsunami

Lesson 5: Wellington Case Study

Key Content

• 1855 Wellington earthquake.
• Preparing for a big quake in the future.

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

17. Shaky Beginnings (extract), Bryan Bruce Productions 1999

Shaky Beginnings (1999)

Jim Hickey introduces the Wellington scenario covering the results of the large 1855 Wellington quake, and pointing out the shoreline changes resulting from 1 metre uplift in 1855 as well as reclamation. Wellington Harbour is one of the few harbours in the world where it is possible to drive around the perimeter of the harbour. The road has been built on the old raised beaches, giving Wellington a strip of flat coastal land following the earthquakes in 1460 and 1855.

a. In relation to earthquakes, what does the coastal landform at Turakerae Head show?
How, over time, there have been successive uplifts of land from the sea. The current beach was only formed in 1855 when it was uplifted during a major earthquake.

18. The Maritime City [extracts], Government Publicity Office 1930

The Maritime City (1930)

Buildings come and go, but no other New Zealand central city area has been so thoroughly redeveloped. The government cameraman rides atop a Lambton Quay tram in 1930, traversing the route of the pre-1855 shoreline. Most of the buildings shown are no longer with us they have been replaced by high rise buildings to a strict building code. However, all buildings built on the seaward side of Lambton Quay are built on reclaimed land which is vulnerable to liquefaction (amplified shaking) during an earthquake.

a. Outline what people did to increase the effects of earthquakes in Wellington?
Built on reclaimed land; tall buildings made of stone; no reinforcements.

19. Hometown Boomtown [extracts], John Reid / Plumb Productions 1983

Hometown Boomtown (1983)

In the late 1960s Parliament gave the City Council the go ahead to survey all the commercial buildings in the city for earthquake risk. They concentrated on the narrow strip of real estate known as the "golden mile" identifying over 200 buildings as earthquake risks. Owners were given 15 years to strengthen or demolish their premises. Most chose to demolish, as it was profitable to build multi storey buildings. Earthquake proof buildings do not exist, but design measures are taken to minimise effects of the earthquakes. For example a Hutt Valley engineer, Dr. Bill Robinson invented the Base Isolator; a foundation of lead and compressed rubber that moves with the earthquake shock waves. Both Te Papa and Parliament Buildings are built on these. This technology has been exported overseas.

a. Why does the narrator suggest that there is no such thing as earthquake proof buildings?
Because buildings are only designed to withstand a certain level of shaking; after that there is the possibility that they may be damaged or collapse.

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