Napier Earthquake

Napier EarthquakeNapier Earthquake

February 1931February 1931

What is an earthquake?What is an earthquake?

Shaking and vibration at the surface of the Shaking and vibration at the surface of the earth resulting from underground earth resulting from underground movement along a fault plane or from movement along a fault plane or from volcanic activity. volcanic activity.

The main street of NapierThe main street of Napier

On February 3, 1931 the peaceful On February 3, 1931 the peaceful tranquillity of New Zealand’s Hawkes tranquillity of New Zealand’s Hawkes Bay region was shattered when the Bay region was shattered when the area was struck by the worst area was struck by the worst earthquake in New Zealand’s history.earthquake in New Zealand’s history.

At 10:46 am on that summer’s day, the At 10:46 am on that summer’s day, the quake hit with a magnitude of 7.9 on quake hit with a magnitude of 7.9 on the Richter scale. the Richter scale.

The Napier PortThe Napier Port

The epicentre of the quake was The epicentre of the quake was situated some 15 to 20 kilometers situated some 15 to 20 kilometers north of the two main centres in the north of the two main centres in the region, Napier and Hastings. region, Napier and Hastings.

Part of the CBDPart of the CBD

The quake lasted for two and a half The quake lasted for two and a half minutes. minutes.

The death toll was 258, 162 being in The death toll was 258, 162 being in Napier, 93 in Hastings and 3 in the Napier, 93 in Hastings and 3 in the small township of Wairoasmall township of Wairoa

Economic DamageEconomic Damage

The Post Office after some of the rubble has been cleared away

The same Post Office before the earthquake

Fires also destroyed Fires also destroyed

A fire swept through both towns A fire swept through both towns immediately after the quake. immediately after the quake. The fire apparently started in a chemist’s The fire apparently started in a chemist’s shop in Napier, which was in close shop in Napier, which was in close proximity to flammable liquids. proximity to flammable liquids. The flames spread quickly and had, within The flames spread quickly and had, within hours, bridged the distance between hours, bridged the distance between Napier and Hastings.Napier and Hastings. The Fire Department in Napier was at a The Fire Department in Napier was at a loss to control the blaze as a result of loss to control the blaze as a result of losing their water supply. losing their water supply.

Ahuriri LagoonAhuriri Lagoon

Port Ahuriri after the quakePort Ahuriri after the quake

Destruction of NapierDestruction of Napier

The force of the earthquake The force of the earthquake destroyed many of the city’s famous destroyed many of the city’s famous landmarks. landmarks. (This is seen in many of the photos (This is seen in many of the photos of the area)of the area)

Effects on the LandEffects on the Land

The long term effects on the Napier The long term effects on the Napier landscape were quite substantial. landscape were quite substantial. The whole area tilted upwards by about The whole area tilted upwards by about seven feet. seven feet. 2230 hectares were raised to sea level. 2230 hectares were raised to sea level. There were about 150 aftershocks in the There were about 150 aftershocks in the 24 hours after the main shock. Over the 24 hours after the main shock. Over the next two weeks, there would be 525 such next two weeks, there would be 525 such aftershocks. aftershocks.

Effects on the landEffects on the land

Chunks of the coastline were dislodged and Chunks of the coastline were dislodged and thrown into the sea. thrown into the sea. Napier’s Bluff Hill, a popular tourist spot, was Napier’s Bluff Hill, a popular tourist spot, was completely destroyed and thrown into the waters completely destroyed and thrown into the waters below. below. The upward thrust of the quake also managed to The upward thrust of the quake also managed to empty the waters of the Ahuriri Lagoon, a wide empty the waters of the Ahuriri Lagoon, a wide stretch of water a few kilometres from Napier. stretch of water a few kilometres from Napier. The result of this was that 9,000 acres of dry The result of this was that 9,000 acres of dry land were made available in a matter of minutes. land were made available in a matter of minutes.

Art Deco clock

Effects on the PeopleEffects on the People

Most of the major buildings in the city were Most of the major buildings in the city were completely destroyed. completely destroyed.

Roads and communications across the Roads and communications across the whole area were cut. whole area were cut.

People were afraid to enter their homes for People were afraid to enter their homes for days and found accommodations at the days and found accommodations at the local Motor Camp or on the beach.local Motor Camp or on the beach.

The central part of Napier after the earthquake

One of the city hotels in ruins

Informing the nationInforming the nation

Communications with Napier were cut off Communications with Napier were cut off by the earthquakeby the earthquake

it just so happened, however, that the it just so happened, however, that the Royal Navy Ship, HMS Veronica, was Royal Navy Ship, HMS Veronica, was docked at the Port of Napier. docked at the Port of Napier.

So, it was by way of the Ship’s radio that So, it was by way of the Ship’s radio that the rest of New Zealand was notified of the the rest of New Zealand was notified of the calamity.calamity.

Napier - Art Deco capitalNapier - Art Deco capital

Art Deco look that prevailed. The city’s Art Deco look that prevailed. The city’s brand new look was accentuated with by brand new look was accentuated with by rows of palm trees and the unique Norfolk rows of palm trees and the unique Norfolk Island pine. Island pine.

Test your knowledgeTest your knowledge

What was the month and year of the What was the month and year of the Napier earthquake?Napier earthquake?

February 1931February 1931

What was the ship in port at the time of the What was the ship in port at the time of the earthquake?earthquake?

HMS VeronicaHMS Veronica

How many people were injured?How many people were injured?

258258

What was the land that was thrown up by What was the land that was thrown up by the earthquake?the earthquake?

Ahuriri lagoonAhuriri lagoon

What was the problem that the fire fighters What was the problem that the fire fighters faced in Napier?faced in Napier?

Water pipes had been damaged and they Water pipes had been damaged and they could not put out the firescould not put out the fires