Kiwification

photo credit: Nathan Callahan

New Zealand lies at the edge of both the Australian and Pacific tectonic plates. We’re “prime earthquake material”.

There are 10,000 to 15,000 earthquakes in New Zealand each year, of those, 100 to 150 are big enough to be felt.

New Zealanders are very aware of the possibility of earthquakes, and there’s copious amounts of research and tips available on how to prepare for, and survive, an earthquake. Here are some basic tips, most of which come from “Get Thru“, a Civil Defense initiative…

Preparing for an earthquake in New Zealand

As will all disasters, being properly prepared will greatly increase your chances of survival.

• Develop a Household Emergency Plan and prepare an Emergency Survival Kit so that you can cope with being on your own for up to three days or more
• Identify safe places within your home, school or workplace. A safe place is:
  • under a strong table, remember to hold onto the legs
  • next to an interior wall
  • somewhere close to you, no more than a few steps, or two metres away, 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. Also check that any renovations comply with the NZ Building Code
• Secure heavy items of furniture to the floor or wall. “Quake-safe” your home…

“Quake-Safe” your New Zealand Home

• Secure hot water cylinders and header tanks
• Check that your house is secured to its foundations
• Secure your chimney with galvanised metal bands
• Secure tall furniture to the wall studs
• Secure wood burners to the floor
• Store heavy objects low down
• Use non-slip mats under smaller appliances and objects
• Use plastic putty (Blu Tack) to secure ornaments
• Push picture and mirror hooks closed
• Have flexible gas and plumbing fittings installed.

During an earthquake

• If you are inside a building, move to a safe place
• If you are outside, move no more than a few steps, then drop, cover and hold
• If you are driving, pull over and stop
• 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

After an earthquake

• You should expect to feel aftershocks
• Help those around you if you can
• If you are in a damaged building, try to get outside and find a safe, open place
• Do not go sightseeing to look at the damage the earthquake has caused
• If you smell gas, try and turn off the gas main outside the building if it is safe to do so
• 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
• If your property is damaged, take notes and photographs for insurance purposes
• Listen to the radio for information and advice

Be aware of earthquakes

GeoNet is a current project to build a modern hazard-warning system throughout New Zealand. On their website, you can view current and historical data on every recorded earthquake (even the small ones, unnoticed by humans).

If you’ve felt an earthquake, even a minor one, head over to their “earthquakes” page and either report the quake, or (more likely) identify which current quake you felt, and report its intensity.