Skip Navigation

New Zealand Earthquake Reference Model

The high-resolution KCC New Zealand Earthquake Model captures seismic risk on multiple fault sources, the potential for large-magnitude events on unknown faults, and event clustering

Highlights

Unique Seismicity

The model accounts for earthquakes occurring off known faults, even large-magnitude events in historically quiet areas, as well as event clustering

Spatially Unbiased

KCC Characteristic Event (CE) methodology avoids sampling bias and provides full and consistent geographic coverage

Accurate Risk Metrics

High-resolution event footprints provide the basis for the most comprehensive and accurate risk metrics for insurers and reinsurers

M6.2 Christchurch Earthquake (2011)
Christchurch, New Zealand

New Zealand Earthquake Snapshot

The 2010-2011 earthquake sequence in New Zealand, which included the magnitude 6.2 Christchurch Earthquake, revealed the region's potential for repeated, high-impact events over a short period of time. Scientific studies have explored this pattern, which has also been observed in 1929, 1942, and 2013. Due to the high density of faults in the region, a rupture on one fault can add strain to another nearby fault and trigger a second rupture. Earthquake clustering has significant implications for modeling potential losses, which KCC scientists and engineers explicitly account for in the high-resolution KCC New Zealand Earthquake Model.

Download Brochure
Cancel

Explore KCC’s Earthquake Models by Region

Manage Your Earthquake Risk in New Zealand

KCC utilizes the best available data, science, and technology to create high-resolution, accurate, and transparent global catastrophe models that allow you to make decisions with confidence.

Get Started
Cancel