New Zealand earthquakes in 2005 The year 2005 was an average year for earthquakes in New Zealand, with two quakes bigger than magnitude 6.0, and 24 quakes between magnitude 5.0 and 5.9. The most damaging quake of the year, on January 21, was centred just north of Upper Hutt. The magnitude 5.5 quake had a depth of 32 kilometres and was felt between New Plymouth and Christchurch. It produced 1077 property damage claims, resulting in a cost of NZ$2.13 million to the Earthquake Commission. 2:37 PM
20.1.06
Dangerous climbing conditions The number of climbers in the Aoraki-Mt Cook National Park this summer is down because of hazardous climbing conditions. Aoraki-Mt Cook in particular is dangerous because mild temperatures have made its glaciers unstable, with little snow to bridge large crevasses. 12:26 PM
13.1.06
Giant chunks of ice are falling from the rapidly moving Franz Josef and Fox Glaciers. Both glaciers are presently advancing at an extraordinary rate of about one metre a week. The Department of Conservation (DOC) has posted warning signs and put up rope barriers to keep visitors at a safe distance from the ice fronts, but many people have been crossing the barriers. Up to 2,700 people visit Franz Josef Glacier daily, and 1,000 visit Fox Glacier. 2:13 PM
