Two shallow, damaging earthquakes struck the lower North Island of New Zealand in 1942, causing one death and widespread structural damage across the Wairarapa region.
Key Facts
- First earthquake date
- 24 June 1942
- Second earthquake date
- 2 August 1942
- Depth of June earthquake
- 12 km (some sources: 15 km)
- Depth of August earthquake
- 40 km (some sources: 43 km)
- Deaths
- 1 (in Wellington, 24 June)
- Epicentre location
- East of Masterton, Wairarapa region
By the Numbers
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
The Wairarapa region of New Zealand's lower North Island lies in a seismically active zone. The June 1942 earthquake originated at a shallow depth of approximately 12 km east of Masterton, with the August event considered a deep aftershock at around 40 km depth. Both were preceded by smaller foreshocks, indicating ongoing tectonic stress in the area.
Two large, shallow earthquakes struck the lower North Island of New Zealand on 24 June and 2 August 1942, with epicentres close together east of Masterton. The June earthquake, sometimes called the Masterton earthquake, was slightly larger than the August event. Both caused widespread damage from Dannevirke and Eketāhuna to Whanganui, Ōtaki, and Wellington.
The earthquakes resulted in one fatality in Wellington and structural damage across a broad area of the lower North Island. A significant aftershock followed on 2 December 1942 and another in February 1943, extending the period of seismic disruption. The August earthquake was classified as an aftershock rather than a doublet, as it was slightly smaller in magnitude than the June event.
Human Cost
Each dot represents approximately 10,000 deaths. Total estimated: 1 (earthquake)