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New Zealand experiences about 300 earthquakes of Richter 4 to 4.9 each year, (on average); and an average of two in the range Richter 6 to 6.9.
There is a huge difference in the distribution of Deep and Shallow earthquakes, and this is illustrated by graphs in the website of gns.cri.nz.
Of course, the shallow earthquakes have a very much greater effect on structures.
The very deep earthquakes are commonly in Fiordland, where the population is very low. The deep earthquakes in both islands are strongly associated with the subduction of the Pacific plate under the Australian Plate in the north; and the subduction of the Australian plate under the Pacific Plate in the South.
As far as deep earthquakes are concerned, there is a quiet zone where these patterns cross over, and this raises the Southern Alps.
New Zealand straddles the boundary between these two plates. The Alpine Fault in the South Island may be an extension of a transcurrent fault associated with the Mid Ocean Ridge sea floor spreading in the south Pacific.
This fault continues through New Zealand, emerging as the Hikurangi trench, which becomes the Tonga Trench further north again.
What else can I help you with?
Iceland Italy Japan and New Zealand make use of what kind of energy that come from the earth's internal heat?
Geothermal energy.
What nursery rhymes have ducks mentioned in them?
Five little ducks went swimming one day, Over the hills and far away, Mother Duck said, "Quack, Quack, Quack" But only four little ducks came back. The verses repeat with a diminishing number of ducks until they are all gone and then after the quack, quack, quack, they all come swimming back.
Did kiwi come from New Zealand?
The Kiwi bird is indigenous to New Zealand.
Why do people from Switzerland come to New Zealand?
People from Switzerland come to new zealand because (this is present day) Swiss people need more jobs and they come to new zealand for good jobs for more money.
Where did paperback books come from?
they come from Australia and New Zealand
Where do the maori come from?
New Zealand
Where do Kea come from?
New Zealand
Where do gooseberrys come from?
New Zealand
How did the islands new Zealand form?
New Zealand was named after Zealand, a province in the Netherlands. The Dutch were the first Europeans to discover it. It does not resemble Zealand - Zealand is flat, New Zealand is mountainous.
When did Tasman come to New Zealand?
Abel Tasman "discovered" New Zealand in 1642.
Where does the name Tawhai come from?
New Zealand
Why did rabbits come to New Zealand?
spain
