Story: Wellington region

Wellington Fault

Wellington Fault

Wellington is crossed by three main faults: Pukerua, Ōhariu, and Wellington. This early 1990s view shows the Wellington Fault. It runs through the Zealandia (Karori Sanctuary) valley – containing two reservoirs – and the suburbs of Kelburn and Thorndon. It then forms the western edge of Wellington Harbour and the Hutt Valley. Because of fears that the reservoirs could be breached in a strong earthquake, the upper reservoir was decommissioned in 1991 and later lowered.

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GNS Science
Reference: CN17492
Photograph by Lloyd Homer

Permission of GNS Science must be obtained before any use of this image.

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How to cite this page:

Chris Maclean, 'Wellington region - Overview', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/photograph/13150/wellington-fault (accessed 26 April 2024)

Story by Chris Maclean, updated 1 Aug 2015