Archive for February, 2008

Gisborne Quake Claims Pass $24 Million

Friday, February 29th, 2008

Earthquake insurer EQC reports that damage claims from December’s magnitude 6.8 earthquake near Gisborne have passed the $24 million mark.

(more…)

Southern Kermadec and BOP Quakes

Thursday, February 28th, 2008

A brief burst of earthquake activity occurred in the Bay of Plenty and southern Kermadec Islands last evening.

(more…)

Earthquake, England

Wednesday, February 27th, 2008

England doesn’t often experience earthquakes, and when it does they usually occur in the southern part of the country. Today’s event occurred in the northern part of England’s “earthquake belt.”

(more…)

Major Earthquake, Sumatra

Monday, February 25th, 2008

A major earthquake struck near Padang, Sumatra this evening, New Zealand time. The magnitude 7.3 quake was shallow and triggered a small tsunami wave.

(more…)

Bay of Plenty Earthquakes

Sunday, February 24th, 2008

This morning’s deep earthquake in the Bay of Plenty was the third deep event in the bay during the past week.

(more…)

My Cellar Mate

Sunday, February 24th, 2008

Back in the olden days, long before I threw caution to the wind and became a penniless writer, I was the owner of a small wine cellar. My cellarmaster was a long-legged black beauty who, like many of the women I know, was a stroppy wench (that should trigger a few comments and turn my glasses into contact lenses)…

(more…)

Starting Tomorrow

Saturday, February 23rd, 2008

in response to the severe case of husband’s ear that I am suffering from, Wild Land will start a new category. It should be called Sunday Whimsy because Sunday is a good day to kick back and read something for fun.

(more…)

Hydro Lakes Now at 1992 Levels

Friday, February 22nd, 2008

The relentless decline in the level of New Zealand’s hydro-electric storage lakes has continued, and levels have now reached those seen during February of the crisis year 1992.

(more…)

Major Earthquake, Sumatra, Indonesia

Wednesday, February 20th, 2008

A major earthquake struck near Banda Aceh, Sumatra this evening, New Zealand time. The magnitude 7.5 earthquake was located 310 km south-south-east of Banda Aceh, Sumatra at a depth of 34 km.

(more…)

NZ’s Tsunami Monitoring Network

Monday, February 18th, 2008

New Zealand is establishing a tsunami monitoring network, due to be completed by 2010.

(more…)

Hydro Lakes Critically Low

Sunday, February 17th, 2008

New Zealand’s hydro-electric storage lakes continued to decline during the first half of February 2008.

(more…)

Milford Sound Earthquake

Friday, February 15th, 2008

A moderately strong very shallow earthquake struck offshore near Milford Sound at 6:32 this evening, Friday the 15th of February 2008. The magnitude 5.0 quake was located 60 km north-west of Milford Sound at a depth of 5 km.

The quake was felt at Frankton, Queenstown and Witherlea.

[Compiled from data provided by the Geonet project and its sponsors EQC, GNS Science and FRST.]

January 2008 Warmer, Drier

Thursday, February 14th, 2008

Tawa’s climate during January 2008 was warmer and drier than conditions recorded since 2004.

(more…)

Geological Summary for New Zealand Area, January 2008

Wednesday, February 13th, 2008

Earthquake activity continued at an increased level. White Island, Mt Ngauruhoe, and Mt Ruapehu remained at Alert Level 1.

(more…)

Hydro Lakes Seriously Low

Tuesday, February 12th, 2008

New Zealand’s hydro-electric storage lakes remained at seriously low levels during January 2008.

(more…)