The 1888 North Canterbury earthquake is the name associated with a severe earthquake which occurred at 4.10 a.m on 1 September 1888 following a sequence of foreshocks that started the previous evening, and whose epicentre was in the North Canterbury region of the South Island of New Zealand.
In Christchurch, about 100 km southeast of the epicentre, shaking lasted for 40 to 50 seconds. The magnitude of the earthquake is estimated to be in the range 7.0 - 7.3. Severe damage to farm buildings in the epicentral region was reported and the top 7.8 metres of the spire of ChristChurch Cathedral, Christchurch collapsed. It was the first earthquake observed to be associated with mainly horizontal fault displacement.
Read more about 1888 North Canterbury Earthquake: Tectonic Setting, Damage, See Also
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