1881 Castle Hill earthquake

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1881 Castle Hill earthquake
New Zealand (relief map).png
Bullseye1.svg
UTC  time1881-12-04 19:35
Local date5 December 1881 (1881-12-05)
Local time07:35
Duration20–40 seconds
Magnitude6.0–6.8
Depth12 km
Epicentre 43°08′S171°46′E / 43.13°S 171.77°E / -43.13; 171.77
Areas affected South Island, New Zealand
Max. intensity MMI VIII (Severe)

The 1881 Castle Hill earthquake occurred at approximately 7:35 am on 5 December 1881, [1] [2] with an epicentre located in the area around Torlesse Range in Castle Hill, around 20 kilometres (12 mi) from Cass. The magnitude of the earthquake is generally estimated to be around 6.0 at a depth of 12 km. [3] [4] [5] [2] Published reports claim it lasted for between 20 and 40 seconds, beginning with a jolt described as "sharp" and "distinct". [1]

Contents

The earthquake was widely felt around the South Island, with reports as far south as Dunedin. Locally, the earthquake caused soil liquefaction. [5] In the city of Christchurch, approximately 80 kilometres (50 mi) from the epicentre, it caused minor damage to brick buildings, including damage to some parts of the Christ Church Cathedral spire. [6] In Lyttelton, the Timeball Station clock reportedly stopped at 7:36 am. [1]

Earthquake

At approximately 7:35 am on 5 December 1881, [2] [1] the earthquake struck in the Castle Hill area, believed to have an epicentre in the Torlesse Range area around 20 kilometres (12 mi) from the settlement of Cass, [6] and a depth of 12 km. [2] The magnitude of the earthquake is widely estimated to have been between 6.0 and 6.2 (although some reports claim as high as 6.8) [3] [6] [5] and a maximum MM intensity of 8 (severe) at the epicenter. [7]

Anecdotal reports indicate a shaking that began as a "sharp" and "distinct" jolt, progressing to "undulating" movement, [1] [8] which lasted approximately 20–40 seconds and was felt across the South Island in various locations including Christchurch, Timaru, Dunedin, Ashburton, and Greymouth, among other places. [1] [8] [9] In Oxford and Christchurch, the MM intensity was rated at between 6 and 7. [7]

Aftershocks were reportedly felt that afternoon at around 5:00 pm and 7:30 pm. [9] They continued in the days following, including on 6 December at both 2:10 am and at 5:00 am; the former was described as lasting for a "considerable duration" with a "rumbling" heard, while the latter was reported as a minor shake of "very slight character". [9] [1]

Damage

The earthquake caused soil liquefaction, including sand fountaining observed at Lake Sarah near Cass. [10] [5] In Christchurch, numerous brick buildings sustained minor damage such as cracked facades, fallen chimneys, and broken windows, [9] [7] while pieces of the Christ Church Cathedral spire broke away and fell (particularly from the cross at the top of the structure) causing further damage to the pavement below. [1] [9] The flow of water in the Avon River / Ōtākaro was also disrupted. [7] In Lyttelton, the Timeball Station clock reportedly stopped working at 7:36 am, [1] and in the harbour, the Gladstone Pier was reportedly "twisted like a snake". [7]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 "SEVERE EARTHQUAKE". NZ Herald . Vol. XVIII, no. 6257. 6 December 1881. p. 5. Archived from the original on 18 December 2025. Retrieved 18 December 2025.
  2. 1 2 3 4 "Magnitude 6.0, Mon Dec 5 1881 7:35 AM". GeoNet . Archived from the original on 18 December 2025. Retrieved 18 December 2025.
  3. 1 2 Elder, D.McG; McCahon, I.F; Yetton, M.D. (March 1991). "9.2 Historical Evidence For Liquefaction In North Canterbury". The Earthquake Hazard in Christchurch: A Detailed Evaluation (PDF). Prepared by Soils & Foundations Ltd, assisted by University of Canterbury. Natural Hazards Commission. p. 76.
  4. ↑ "Canterbury quake may have been on 'new' fault line" . NZ Herald . 4 September 2010. Archived from the original on 7 June 2024. Retrieved 18 December 2025.
  5. 1 2 3 4 Robinson, T. R.; Davies, T. R. H. (23 September 2013). "Review Article: Potential geomorphic consequences of a future great (Mw = 8.0+) Alpine Fault earthquake, South Island, New Zealand" (PDF). Natural Hazards and Earth System Sciences. 13 (9). 2283. doi: 10.5194/nhess-13-2279-2013 . ISSN   1684-9981.
  6. 1 2 3 Final Report: Summary and Recommendations in Volumes 1–3, Seismicity, Soils and the Seismic Design of Buildings (PDF). Vol. 1. Wellington, New Zealand: Canterbury Earthquakes Royal Commission. 29 June 2012. ISBN   978-0-478-39559-4. Archived (PDF) from the original on 2 February 2025.
  7. 1 2 3 4 5 "Canterbury's Shaky History". Earthquakes: The Q Files (PDF). ECan Publication: E08/116. Environment Canterbury. August 2008. p. 10. Archived (PDF) from the original on 19 December 2025. Retrieved 19 December 2025.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: others (link)
  8. 1 2 "Heavy Earthquake". Wairarapa Daily Times . Vol. 3, no. 942. 5 December 1881. p. 2. Archived from the original on 18 December 2025. Retrieved 18 December 2025.
  9. 1 2 3 4 5 "The Earthquake". Evening Post . Vol. XXII, no. 133. 6 December 1881. p. 2. Archived from the original on 18 December 2025. Retrieved 18 December 2025.
  10. ↑ Review of liquefaction hazard information in eastern Canterbury, including Christchurch City and parts of Selwyn, Waimakariri and Hurunui Districts (PDF). Compiled by H. L. Brackley (Report no. R12/83 ed.). Environment Canterbury. December 2012. p. 29. ISBN   978-1-927222-38-6. Archived (PDF) from the original on 18 December 2025. Retrieved 18 December 2025.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: others (link)
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