Story: Historic earthquakes

Extent of shaking, Murchison earthquake, 17 June 1929

The Modified Mercalli scale (from 1 to 12) measures earthquakes by the intensity of shaking observed. Reports from historical records and diaries have been used to compile this map of the 1929 Murchison earthquake. Beginning with a measurement of 8 at the epicentre, the isoseismal lines spread outwards, recording the impact further afield. The earthquake was felt in most parts of New Zealand, with the most severe shaking at the northern end of the South Island. Seventeen people were killed by the earthquake.

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Source: G. L. Downes, Atlas of isoseismal maps of New Zealand earthquakes. Lower Hutt: Institute of Geological and Nuclear Sciences, 1995.

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How to cite this page:

Eileen McSaveney, 'Historic earthquakes - The 1929 Arthur’s Pass and Murchison earthquakes', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/interactive/4509/extent-of-shaking-murchison-earthquake-17-june-1929 (accessed 29 March 2024)

Story by Eileen McSaveney, published 12 Jun 2006, reviewed & revised 28 Mar 2011, updated 1 Nov 2017