Earthquakes - A New Zealand fact of life
There are many earthquakes in New Zealand every year. Most of them are not felt because they are either small, or very deep within the earth. Meanwhile a large earthquake could occur at any time. New Zealand homes need to be able to cope after a major earthquake.
The best way to be ready is to prepare now
As earthquakes tremble across the Pacific, Otago Geology researchers point out that we have our own big one building …
There’s evidence of a massive build-up of stress that appears to be relieved suddenly by enormous earthquakes of around magnitude 8 every 250 to 300 years. The last one happened in 1717, 293 years ago …
University of Otago Magazine, February 2010
SURVEY SAYS KIWIS AREN'T READY TO ROLL
Kiwis are not prepared for life after the ‘big one’ hits, with many having no water and food supplies or an emergency plan.
The Dominion Post, March 27, 2010
Restoration of Lifelines
Many essential lifelines will not operate for a long period of time. Below is an estimate of the timeframes to restore lifelines based on the Kobe earthquake in 1995. It is important to note that Kobe had much greater access to resources compared to the Wellington Region or other NZ locations; therefore it is likely to take longer than the estimates provided below:
- Water: 91 days to restore bulk lines
- Refuse services – 35 days to restore 80%
- Sewage inoperable – 135 days to restore
- Roads and bridges – 12-18 months
- Electricity: 7 days to restore 80% of the network.
- Telephones: 25% outage – 15 days to restore 80% of the damaged network.
- Gas: 80% failure – 85 days to restore (it may take years to re-connect every customer)
- Railway and buses: 5 to 8 months (major routes).
Source: Wellington Regional Council