Sep 22 2006 - Small Earthquakes Shake the Bay of Islands

Over the past three days at least six separate earthquakes have shaken the Bay of Islands. All of them were centred near Takou Bay, approximately 13 km north of Kerikeri. The most strongly felt earthquake was a magnitude 3.5, and was 5 km deep. The other earthquakes were smaller, and deeper, therefore they were not so strongly felt. It is possible that these earthquakes could continue, but we do not expect them to get bigger.

Location of the recent earthquakes in Northland.

Location of the recent earthquakes in Northland.

The magnitudes and times of the recent earthquakes are as follows:

  • Sunday, 17th September 2006 at 3.16 am - magnitude 3.4, 20 km deep
  • Sunday, 17th September 2006 at 8.34 am - magnitude 3.5, 5 km deep
  • Sunday, 17th September 2006 at 4.47 pm - magnitude 2.9, 20 km deep
  • Wednesday, 20th September 2006 at 11.03 pm - magnitude 2.4, 20 km deep
  • Wednesday, 20th September 2006 at 11.04 pm - magnitude 3.4, 20 km deep
  • Wednesday, 20th September 2006 at 11.05 pm - magnitude 2.4, 20 km deep

Most of these earthquakes were felt by residents of Kerikeri and surrounding areas. We have received no reports of any damage.

Earthquakes are rare in Northland, but not unheard of. The Bay of Islands area is a volcanic field that is classed as "active", because activity has occurred within the last 10,000 years. But there has certainly been no activity since people first arrived in New Zealand. 60 earthquakes have been recorded in this area since 1960, usually in groups much like the recent events. Of these earthquakes, 10 have been of the same magnitude, or larger, than 3.5. These were:

  • Mangonui - November 1960 - magnitude 3.5, 33 km deep
  • Peria - December 1963 - magnitude 4.9, 12 km deep
  • Peria aftershock - December 1963 - magnitude 4.9, 12 km deep
  • Cape Brett - April 1964 - magnitude 3.9, 12 km deep
  • Hen and Chicken Islands - February 1975 - magnitude 4.4, 12 km deep
  • Mareretu - May 1978 - magnitude 3.9, 9 km deep
  • Waipu - December 2003 - magnitude 4.3, 12 km deep
  • Waipu - December 2003 - magnitude 3.7, 16 km deep
  • Waipu - December 2003 - magnitude 3.6, 19 km deep
  • Waipu - December 2003 - magnitude 3.5, 16 km deep