1843_Wanganui_earthquake
1843 Wanganui earthquake
Earthquake in New Zealand
The 1843 Whanganui earthquake occurred on 8 July at 16:45 local time with an estimated magnitude of 7.5 on the Mw scale.[1][2] The maximum perceived intensity was IX (Violent) on the Mercalli intensity scale, and possibly reaching X (Extreme).[1] The epicentre is estimated to have been within a zone extending 50 km northeast from Whanganui towards Taihape. GNS Science has this earthquake catalogued and places the epicentre 35 km east of Taihape,[3] near the border of Hawke's Bay. This was the first earthquake in New Zealand over magnitude 7 for which written records exist,[4] and the first for which deaths were recorded.[5]