2014 Eketahuna earthquake

2014 Eketahuna earthquake
Date Monday 20 January 2014, 3:52 pm NZDT (UTC+13) (2014-01-20UTC02:52Z)
Magnitude 6.2 ML
Depth 34 kilometres (21 mi)
Epicenter 40°37′S 175°52′E / 40.62°S 175.86°E / -40.62; 175.86Coordinates: 40°37′S 175°52′E / 40.62°S 175.86°E / -40.62; 175.86
Areas affected New Zealand
Peak acceleration 0.26 g
Aftershocks 1112
Casualties 3 injured

The 2014 Eketahuna earthquake struck at 3:52 pm on Monday 20 January, centred 15 km east of Eketahuna on the south-east of New Zealand's North Island. It had a maximum perceived intensity of VII (severe) on the Mercalli intensity scale.[1] It was originally assessed as 6.6 on the Richter Scale, but was downgraded to magnitude 6.2 after reviews. A total of 1112 aftershocks were recorded, ranging between magnitudes 2.0 and 4.9 on the Richter Scale.[2]

It was felt strongly down the country, from Auckland in the north to Dunedin in the south, and more than 9,000 reports were submitted by the public to GeoNet, the geological hazards monitoring network. The New Zealand Herald newspaper reported damage to walls and chimneys and road closures in the lower North Island.[3]

The Earthquake Commission, (EQC) received 5,013 claims relating to the quake, 1,514 of them from Palmerston North. Minor to moderate damage was also reported in Eketahuna, Wellington, Masterton, Carterton, Kapiti Coast, Pahiatua, Levin and Otaki.[4] Three 1920s-style buildings in Masterton were evacuated after cracks appeared. One building needed to be demolished.[3]

Three people in Palmerston North sustained moderate injuries after chemicals on a shelf fell on them, the only report of injury following the quake.[3]

See also

Notes

  1. ↑ "New Zealand Earthquake Report Magnitude 6.2, Mon, Jan 20 2014, 3:52:45 pm (NZDT)". GeoNet. Retrieved 28 August 2014.
  2. ↑ "Future Scenarios and Aftershocks". GeoNet. GeoNet. Retrieved 8 July 2014.
  3. 1 2 3 http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11189343
  4. ↑ http://www.eqc.govt.nz/news/eketahuna-claims-update
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