Huge Tremors Rocked Milford Sound
This is the biggest quake in New Zealand since August 2003. It could be felt all over the South Island and in the lower North Island. There has been minimal damage reported.
On Wednesday, 17 October 2007, seismologists recorded a large tremor measuring 6.7 on the Richter scale at 1.29am in the morning. The epicenter was 60km west of Milford Sound, at a depth of 24km. There has been scarcely any damage that’s been reported following this quake but the residents from the lower North Island felt the movement too along with shaking that was felt widely across the immediate Southland area. Our scientists are planning an in depth study of the after shocks.
Photo: Fiordland Travel
This is the biggest quake in New Zealand since August 2003. The last quake measured 7.2 and hit Secretary Island, which is located off the Fiordland coast. GNS Scientists have moved quickly this time to install portable equipment that will better record the aftershocks. So far, they have recorded aftershocks with a magnitude of 6.2, this immediately followed the main tremor.
In 2003, as many as 5000 aftershocks had been recorded over several months. These aftershocks happen because the Earth’s crust is adjusting to stresses caused by the main shock and Mr Field stated that, “No two aftershock stresses are the same.”
This information is crucial and critical in the study of the seismologist’s field of expertise. It allows them to ascertain the size and orientation of the “fault-break” in the earths crust, helping to indicate if the main shock had any effects on faults nearby and if it could possibly have more effects on us.
The battery-powered seismometers could pinpoint the size, depth, and location of the aftershocks with greater accuracy than before. Bryan Field said that the sequences of these aftershocks should yield some useful information.
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9 Responses to “Huge Tremors Rocked Milford Sound”
On October 27, 2007 at 6:54 pm
This is intresting information. I must admit I know very little about earth quakes.I have learned something new.
On October 29, 2007 at 8:50 am
Magnitude 6.7…You mentioned the south island as part of the affected area. Glad there was no harm to the populace. Did you feel the quake at all? Well, everything is o.k. anyhow. Very well written, as usual.
Thanks for your comments on my photos. Unusual Autumn display. No retouching, by the way.
On October 29, 2007 at 5:06 pm
We didn’t feel it in Auckland but I’ve lived in the Bay of Plenty which is a quake prone area.Close to White Island and it is scary!! Thanks for the reply on ‘Unusual Autumn’ it is awesomely strange.I liked it very much.
On November 3, 2007 at 4:36 am
I hadn’t thought of New Zealand as an eartquake prone area (shows how much I know). That one must have been scary for anyone near the epicentre. Very interesting article. Those portable seismometers sound like a useful tool.
On November 13, 2007 at 2:48 pm
Hi Lucy
Interesting article!
I have had a long break from writing but hoping to get back to it very shortly. I hope you are well and I look forward to reading more of your escellent work. I am continuing to click on all your articles each month.
Take care
Jonathan
On April 29, 2008 at 3:04 am
Great article, Lucy! The photo is awesome!
On April 29, 2008 at 11:09 am
Lucy, thanks for this article, take care!
On April 29, 2008 at 12:05 pm
nice article Lucy,
well that’s life in earthquake belt areas like yours and mine,we should be alert all the time,the last killer quake here in the Philippines was in 1990,there was also a minor tremor here last February,classes were suspended in some schools because of it.
On May 4, 2008 at 10:35 pm
I missed several of your articles and I got a second chance to read them! Great article, by the way! I remember this! Maybe you had the pics!
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