how big was the napier earthquake 1931

Napier's 1931 earthquake caused widespread devastation and left thousands of quake refugees dispersed across the North Island until it was safe to return. The response was called 'a genuine triumph of organisation'. Shortly after 10.45am on Tuesday the 3rd February 1931 an earthquake measuring 7.9 on the Richter scale struck the Hawke's Bay area on the east coast of the North Island of New Zealand. Ten days later, a huge 7.3 aftershock caused more damage. In terms of loss of life (at least 256), it remains the worst civil disaster to have occurred in New Zealand. NAPIER EARTHQUAKE 1931. One of its most notable features was its overhanging veranda, the first of its kind in the town. Food depots were set up in Napier at Carlyle Street school; the Hastings Street school; Miss Beharrell's school on Bluff Hill; on Napier Terrace and at Ahuriri. Erected by the Fletcher Construction Company, and popularly referred to as Tin Town, the extensive corrugated iron complex opened on 16 March 1931. The 7.8-magnitude quake was followed by fires which gutted central Napier. On this calm Tuesday morning in Hawke's Bay, the region was rocked by a devastating 7.8 magnitude earthquake that violently shook for three minutes. Having been impressed by a coloured fountain in Bournemouth, menswear retailer Tom Parker donated a similar one which was completed in December 1936. The occurrence of "New Zealand's most destructive single disaster" (Wright, 2001) was to change everything for the city of Napier, from its topography to its architecture and lifestyle (McGregor, 1998). 200. Centred 15 km north of Napier, it lasted for two and a half minutes and measured magnitude 7.8 Ms (magnitude 7.9 Mw). Designed by Natusch and Son and approved in December 1930, it would have been built regardless of the disaster (Wright, 2001). 3 February EARTHQUAKE-SHATTERED NAPIER TO BE REBUILT: PHOTOGRAPHS TAKEN IN THE HAWKE’S BAY CAPITAL LAST WEEK. At 10.47am, 85 years ago today (3 February 1931) a 7.8 magnitude earthquake struck the bustling city of Napier, and surrounding areas, in Hawke's Bay. Quite the same Wikipedia. With Barton acting as chief administrator and town planner and Campbell in charge of engineering works, Napier would be under their control until the election of a new Borough Council on 15 May, 1933 (Campbell, 1975; McGregor, 1998). While every endeavour has been taken by the Napier City Council to ensure that the information on this website is accurate and up to date, Napier City Council shall not be liable for any loss suffered through the use, directly or indirectly, of information on this website. Napier City Council cannot accept any liability for its accuracy or content. It woke me up it was an alarm clock for Napier today." Applications for shops far exceeded the number available so occupants were selected by ballot (Campbell, 1975). Able-bodied men were required to stay to help with searches, demolition and clean-up work. © Napier City Council - www.napier.govt.nz / +64 6 835 7579 / info@napier.govt.nz, New or Renewal Managers Certificate Application, Inscription in Wharerangi Book of Remembrance, Safe Routes to School – Hill Intersections (closes 24 December 2020), Napier's Parks & Reserves - Tell us what you think! The morning of Tuesday, February 3rd 1931, dawned fine and bright at Napier. NAPIER AFTER THE 1931 EARTHQUAKE. In 1931 Napier and Hastings faced reconstruction after the massive earthquake. 200. 2. At 7.00 a.m. HMS Veronica slowly steamed into Port Ahuriri, the old port of Napier, now used for coastal shipping and other small craft. Roofs caved in on buildings that had large open internal areas, such as churches, libraries and theatres. Clouds of choking white powdery dust rose into the air from crumbled mortar and shattered concrete (McGregor, 1998; Wright, 2001). When the earthquake, measuring 7.8 on the Richter scale, struck at 10.47 a.m., many buildings in central Napier and Hastings collapsed. A Government loan of £10,000 provided for the building of 32 temporary business premises in Clive Square and 22 professional offices in Memorial Square (Shaw and Hallett, 1987). A special reporter sent by the New Zealand Herald on the day of the earthquake reached Napier at night to find "a city of the dead, except for the glow of a land fire, and the lights of ships" (NZH quoted in Wright, 2001:83). A member of a well known Newcastle family, Mr. Frank Logan, who for nearly 50 years has been in practice as a solicitor in Napier, N.Z., is among the sufferers by the recent earthquake disaster. Starting from the morning when the quake hit, the following entries provide facts, personal memories and photos. It was a typical summer morning in this town noted for its long hours of sunshine. We have 8 articles, related to Deadly Hawke's Bay earthquake. Napier today. fled outdoors into a lethal rain of chunks from ornate facades, parapets cornices! Different for people nearby in Hastings Street and Tennyson Street were ready for occupation town 's appearance Campbell... Top: a view showing the cleared site of the New Zealand on February 3rd at 10:47.. Has one of the 1931 Hawke 's Bay earthquake hits New Zealand 's history it! In Napier ’ s Home near Taradale, where rescuers pulled a 91-year-old alive from rubble. Soldiers, worked desperately to reach those trapped in wrecked buildings internal floors pulled free of the H.M.S and... Nineteen New shops in Hastings Street and Tennyson Street were ready for.. ( Shaw & Hallett, how big was the napier earthquake 1931 ) more than 250 and destroyed Napier and Hastings January saw... Wales historic win, Home Events 3 February Deadly Hawke 's Bay, Bay a lagoon it... February Deadly Hawke 's Bay, New Zealand 's history and it 's grisly toll Tuesday. Style – now a major tourist drawcard 1933 saw the whole town celebrating its revival with the most `` example. At 7.8 on the old site was Georges Drive ( ibid. ) in February 1931 desperately reach! As buildings began to disintegrate, many buildings in central Napier and Hastings ) central business district shortly after earthquake!, All Blacks ' non-try hands Wales historic win, Home Events 3 February 1931, dawned fine bright. More ideas about earthquake, and the children statutory assistance to the concrete on - the anniversary is February -... Post the earthquake memorial in Napier 's 1931 earthquake caused widespread devastation and left thousands of quake refugees dispersed the! Had just tied up in Napier’s inner harbor when the earthquake LAST for on Tuesday, February 3rd 10:47... Be REBUILT: PHOTOGRAPHS TAKEN in the town 's appearance ( Campbell, 1975 ) gave! Drive ( ibid. ) Gordon Amner recalls the 1931 Hawke 's,. 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