Earthquakes

[Colin]

  Hi all

Just read one of the other topics in the forum and earthquakes in I think Wellington was mentioned??

WHAT THE?

Is this true? If so what else happens in NZ that one needs to be worried about...Tsunami ect
and where so I can find myself a nice safe little spot 

[hadenough]

That's exactly what is worrying my daughter too!  She isn't too worried about leaving her friends etc, but they have been telling her that NZ has lots of earthquakes and there is such a high risk of Tsunami's.  The poor kid is besides herself.  i have told her they are exagerating

[dance]

Yes there is a danger of these things. You are on an island after all.  Also there is a volcano on the NI that is said to be active... not sure about that. There have been no serious events for a long time. However my opinion is that s..t happens where ever you are. You deal with it if it comes your way. You cannot hide yourself away for in case soemthing happens coz then you would never live a complete life. Just my opinion.

[ANTONK]

There are dangers everywhere in the world whether nature or human - WHEN IT IS YOUR TIME IT IS YOUR TIME !!!!!!!

[Colin]

Fair enough

Nature I can handle I suppose...... it's the animal in man that get's me.

Where can I get some info about the Volcano and Tsunami's out there

[dance]

I read it on a site that is called I think earthwatch? I will check and get back to you.

[jafa77]

NZ is well prepared for earthquakes.

Most quake prone cities are Napier, Gisborne and Wellington. Buildings are generally quake proof now (parliament too - take a tour and see) and houses are wood so safe.

Auckland is built on 40-50 old volcanoes. Another one could erupt but no one knows when. Last one erupted in the sea off the coast in 600AD and formed the beautiful Rangitoto island.

There are a few active volcanoes in NZ. All far away from cities. White Island in the Bay of Plenty, as well as Mt Ruapehu (the largest ski resort in NZ), Mt Tongariro and Mt Ngarahoe(Mt Doom in Lord of the Rings). They erupt every few years and the ski season is disrupted and perhaps a few aircraft are diverted to stay away from volcanic dust.

NZ can have tsunamis, but so can anywhere - SA included.

Whenever I hear this stuff I think people are looking for excuses not to immigrate.....The USA is prone to all the same stuff as NZ and much MORE (earthquakes, tornados, volcanoes, floods, hurricanes etc) and they do just fine coping with it. NZ will too.

Volcanoes and earthquakes that strike once in a few hundred years OR savages raping and killing every day all over the Republic???  Please make your choice.

[jafa77]

Please tell your daughter to explain to her friends that the chance of them being raped and murdered in their own home is VERY HIGH in SA.

Please tell her to tell them that every year around 25000 South Africans are murdered. In 2007 there were 0 deaths related to volcanoes, tsumanis or earthquakes in NZ. And in the last 50 years that figure would be under 20 I would guess.

[jafa77]

Gisborne had a 6.8 quake in December. Caused some damage and one lady died of a heart attack. She was 82 I think. No one died from any buildings collapsing, and insurance has paid out and it is mostly fixed up already.

[Badprop]

Hi Colin,

This also worried us and to be fair it is normal to be sceptical about a place until you get there.  Have a look at this site.

 Africa is the most stable as far as mother nature is conserned but where in Africa do you want to live?  The rest of the world know they have mother nature to deal with and therefor plan for these events (unlike Africa).

ps:  I always wanted to live on an island but Maldives is going to sink due to global warming, so NZ will have to do.

[jafa77]

I enjoy that site. I used to check it last year when we has a series of small tremors in Rotorua. I found the mini-quakes quite exciting. Sitting at my desk on laptop and suddenly the place starts rattling. All over in 15 seconds or less. Happened about 4 times in 2 weeks then nothing!

probably felt more mining related tremors in JHB than I have in NZ.

[Colin]

Thanks Jaffa77, Badprop & dance

Great site badprop thanks, we have never felt an earthquake here as you would know, but yes you are right, stay and get raped,killed,shot at,    or maybe feel a tremor every now and then...hhmmm no choice really is there.

[SaKiwiBoer]

Colin, if you come and stay in a place like Rotorua you can forget about Tsunami's. We're +- 50 to 60 kilo's away from the sea  ,  ,  ,  ,  ,  , little bit more safe, than the rest of the place, one thing less to worry about, hey pal.......... just joking.        Lighten up pal, this place is a hell of a lot safer than SA and his millions of friends that rob, rape and murder us. Cheers,  , SAKB.

[Didi77]

Since I have lived here I have had 3 sets of emergency plans stuffed down my ....

People here are prepared and if something happens I knwo my goverment will look after me. They will look after my kids.

I will face the natural emergencies before facing the unknown in Africa.

Then again - who knows what time will bring - we all have to make our choices,,, in Gauteng my choice was made for me. 

[Johan01]

Yip Colin this place is in a constant earthquake .... only around 14000 a year and up to today , 9 months down the line, haven't felt one. Oh yes there were a fulcano that erupted .... on the north Island ... So the as some one said look at the death toll in SA by thugs and then you'll realise that the qaukes and valcanos is a breeze ...