GNS Science Earthquake information

GNS Science records about 14,000 earthquakes in and around New Zealand each year. Most are small, but between 100 and 150 are big enough to be felt. The Institute records these earthquakes on a nationwide network of instruments called seismographs.

New Zealand's position on the boundary of the Australian and Pacific plates is the reason for the large number of earthquakes we witness. Underneath New Zealand these two huge plates are grinding together in three distinct ways.

To the east of the North Island the Pacific plate is being forced under the Australian plate. Under the South Island the two plates push past each other sideways, and to the south of New Zealand the Australian plate is being forced under the Pacific plate.

There is still a great deal to learn about the causes of earthquakes, volcanic eruptions and landslides. The new and higher quality information from the GeoNet monitoring network will be crucial to improving our understanding of earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, tsunamis and landslides.

The data from GeoNet will contribute to improving disaster risk management in New Zealand communities. A better understanding of the hazard provides the basis for improved readiness and reduction of the community's exposure to risk, while accurate and timely information aids the response to an event and subsequent recovery.