Some tsunami have a trough or depression in front of the leading wave, so that the sea surface goes down before the wave washes in. If you are on the beach when the tide suddenly seems to go out, run away to high ground or get inland fast - do not try to gather shellfish or other stranded fish! 2:24 PM
19.9.03
A City of Volcanoes Auckland is built on a volcanic field, with many square kilometres of lava flows and over 45 volcanic vents and cones. Most of the city’s hills - for example One Tree Hill, Mount Eden and Mount Albert - are small volcanic cones. The most recent eruption was on Rangitoto Island. 1:49 PM
12.9.03
Ngauruhoe is the most frequently erupting volcano on the New Zealand mainland, erupting on average every 6 to 7 years. It hasn’t erupted since 1975, however, and is now undergoing its longest break from activity since European settlement. 12:37 PM
5.9.03
Aftershocks Most big earthquakes are followed by many aftershocks, especially if the earthquake occurred near the surface. The largest aftershock is often about one magnitude smaller than the main event. The largest aftershocks so far of the magnitude 7.1 Fiordland earthquake on 22 August 2003 have been of magnitudes 6.2 and 6.1.
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