In today's world, 2009 Fiordland earthquake has gained great relevance in various areas of daily life. Since its emergence, 2009 Fiordland earthquake has caught the attention of many people due to its impact and influence in different aspects. There are several factors that have contributed to its popularity, such as its importance in the work environment, its relevance in society, its impact on technology or its influence on contemporary culture. In this article, we will further explore the role 2009 Fiordland earthquake plays today and how it has managed to capture the interest of so many people around the world.
UTC time | 2009-07-15 09:22:29 |
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ISC event | 15157724 |
USGS-ANSS | ComCat |
Local date | 15 July 2009 |
Local time | 9:22 pm (NZST) |
Magnitude | 7.8 Mw |
Depth | 12.0 km (7.5 mi) |
Epicentre | 45°45′43″S 166°33′43″E / 45.762°S 166.562°E |
Areas affected | New Zealand |
Max. intensity | MMI VI (Strong) |
Tsunami | 2.3 m (7 ft 7 in) |
Aftershocks | >100 |
Casualties | 0 |
The 2009 Fiordland earthquake struck the South Island of New Zealand with a magnitude of 7.8 at 9:22 pm (NZST) on 15 July. The earthquake was centred in the remote region of Fiordland, with the epicentre located 150 km (93 mi) west-north-west of Invercargill near Dusky Sound in Fiordland National Park, at a depth of 12 km (7.5 mi). It is among the largest New Zealand earthquakes to occur, including the Kaikōura earthquake in 2016 and the 1931 Hawke's Bay earthquake, which both had a magnitude of 7.8.
The earthquake's epicentre was located near Resolution Island in Dusky Sound, Fiordland. It was a reverse fault, with the Indo-Australian Plate subducting beneath the Pacific Plate. A large area of land around the epicentre was lifted by approximately 1 metre.
New Zealand's Institute of Geological and Nuclear Sciences (GNS Science) initially measured the earthquake at magnitude 6.6, but later revised the magnitude to 7.8. The country's last earthquake with this magnitude was about 80 years prior in the 1931 Hawke's Bay earthquake.
The earthquake ruptured southwards and towards the surface, and most of the earthquake's energy was offshore. This, and GNS Science describing the earthquake as being relatively slow and having a low frequency of shaking, is what caused the earthquake to do little damage compared to what people may typically expect from earthquakes of this magnitude. Another factor was the earthquake's remote location.
The reported energy release was compared to "500 million tonnes of TNT, 25,000 times more powerful than the atomic bomb dropped on Nagasaki in 1945".
GNS Science recorded thousands of aftershocks, most of which went unnoticed. One of the larger aftershocks was magnitude 6.1, which occurred 19 minutes after the main earthquake.
From 9.30 pm, KiwiRail trains south of Omaru and in Buller Gorge stopped, but were operational again by midnight due to a lack of damage. There were a few train delays following this.
Prime Minister John Key said that people could "thank their lucky stars" due to the lack of damage caused by the earthquake.
The earthquake was felt throughout the South Island, and in the lower North Island as far as New Plymouth. No injuries or fatalities were reported, and it caused only minor damage. Power outages were experienced in several parts of the South Island. Over 1,500 claims for damage had been listed with the Earthquake Commission, New Zealand's agency for earthquake compensation.
Landslides in the Fiordland National Park near Dusky Sound cleared large tracts of forest. The earthquake brought the township of Te Anau 10 centimetres closer to Australia, and Puysegur Point (at the southwestern edge of the South Island) moved about 30 centimetres closer to Australia.
The quake twisted New Zealand's South Island, with Puysegur Point, on the Southwestern tip of the island, moving 30 cm closer to Australia (westward); Te Anau moved 10 cm, Bluff 3 cm and Dunedin 1 cm. It is also believed to have caused an increased stress in the southern, offshore part of the Alpine Fault.
Tsunami warnings were issued soon after the earthquake by authorities in New Zealand and Australia, as well as the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center in Hawaii. Civil defence officials in Southland also issued a 'potential tsunami' warning, stating their concerns about widely varying measurements of the earthquake. Reacting to the Pacific warnings, about fifty residents and tourists on Lord Howe Island were evacuated, and in Sydney a theatre in Bondi Beach was evacuated, and residents told to keep away from the shore. the tsunami reached a height of 1 metre in Jackson Bay, 25 cm at Charleston, 12 cm at Dog Island, 14 cm at Port Kembla, and 6 cm at Spring Bay. A maximum run-up of 230 cm was recorded, however, the tsunami may have been higher in some areas that were not surveyed due to the remoteness of the affected area. The tsunami warnings were subsequently cancelled or reduced.