All of New Zealand is at risk of earthquakes. We can't predict when one will happen, but we can protect ourselves and our family. Find out what to do before, during and after an earthquake.
Visit the Canterbury CDEM(external link) website for more information about what to do before, during and after an earthquake.
New Zealand sits on two tectonic plates called the Pacific and the Australian.
Some parts of the South Island sit on the Australian Plate, while the rest of the South Island sits on the Pacific Plate that has ongoing tectonic activity driven from the Ring of Fire.