Risk Maps
Risk Maps
Wellington / Wairarapa
Map
Risk in the Wellington / Wairarapa Region
As the Pacific plate sinks beneath the Australian plate pushing and grinding as it goes, earthquakes are an ever-present possibility throughout the Wellington and Wairarapa regions.
Wellington and the Wairarapa felt the full force of New Zealand's largest recorded earthquake in 1855. Centred beneath Cook Strait, the quake has been estimated ata a devastating magnitude 8.2.
There have been other large earthquakes in the region such as the 1934 magnitude 7.6 quake in Pahiatua and the magnitude 7.2 Wairarapa earthquake in 1942.
As in many parts of the country, landslips are frequent throughout the Wellington region. In February 2004, a rain storm triggered more than 62,000 landslips in the Manawatu and Wanganui.
The coasts, both the west, east and through the Cook Strait are susceptible to tsunami.
Past Events
Wairarapa - Earthquake: 23/01/1855 Magnitude 8.2
Wellington - Tsunami: 23/01/1855 7-10 metres
Related Resources
Emergency Survival kit
Emergency Plan
First Aid Kit
Getaway Kit