Earthquakes

Otago is one of the least seismically active areas in the country, so what is the actual risk that an earthquake will topple the Dunedin Courthouse tower?

More than 50,000 people from Otago dropped to the floor and sheltered under desks and tables as part of yesterday's national "ShakeOut" earthquake drill, with organisers hailing it as a success.

Research published in June suggests a one-in-three chance of a magnitude 8 earthquake on the Alpine Fault sometime in the next 50 years. Bruce Munro spoke to scientists, civil defence staff and couples living in Dunedin, Queenstown and on the Maniototo to create this fictionalised account of how we might be affected if it happens this Wednesday.

Otago councils have agreed to investigate a joint approach to deal with earthquake-prone buildings.

Dunedin's emergency response managers will take the opportunity during New Zealand's first nationwide earthquake drill to practise, in theory, how they would respond to an earthquake emergency in the city.

A series of earthquakes over magnitude 5.0 has rattled the Kermadec Islands over the weekend.

Although the odds of a major earthquake hitting Dunedin soon are relatively low, citizens "should not be complacent", geologist Prof Richard Norris warned yesterday.

A 4.8 magnitude aftershock has rattled Christchurch this afternoon.

Owners of Dunedin buildings have two years from next July to complete earthquake assessments, and work at a significant cost is expected to be uncovered.

Insurance companies refusing to cover Dunedin's infrastructure because of post-earthquake fears about their own exposure are not turning down business.