Otago Museum talk commemorates 50 years since city’s last big earthquake

GNS Science's principal scientist Dr Simon Cox speaks about the 1974 Dunedin earthquake to an audience of about 100 at the Hutton Theatre yesterday evening.

The University of Otago, GNS Science, Dunedin City Council and Emergency Management Otago teamed up to hold the talk to commemorate 50 years since the last significant earthquake in Dunedin.

A magnitude 5.0 earthquake struck Dunedin on April 9, 1974 — the worst affected areas experienced damage to chimneys and falling masonry due to shaking intensities of 8MM on the Mercalli scale. A free public event was held in the Hutton Theatre at Tūhura Otago Museum yesterday, that included a locally made short film, a science overview, earthquake risk to heritage buildings, preparedness tips and an ‘Ask an expert’ session.