Greendale Fault | |
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![]() The Greendale Fault photographed looking north, about 12 hours after the
Darfield earthquake. The hedgerow and tractor tire tracks in the paddocks have been horizontally offset by about 3.5 meters | |
Country | New Zealand |
Region | Canterbury Plains |
Characteristics | |
Length | 29.5 km (18.3 mi) |
Displacement | 2 mm (0.079 in)/yr [1] |
Tectonics | |
Plate | Pacific |
Status | Active |
Earthquakes | 2010 Canterbury earthquake |
Type | Strike-slip fault |
New Zealand Active Fault database |
The Greendale Fault is an active seismic fault situated in the Canterbury Plains in New Zealand's South Island. The fault was previously unknown to geologists until 4 September 2010, as physical traces of the fault had been buried by gravel (alluvial deposits) during the last glaciation period. [2]
A powerful 7.1 magnitude earthquake, [3] [4] occurred on the Greendale Fault at 4:35 am on 4 September 2010 local time (16:35 3 September UTC). [3] The quake caused widespread damage and several power outages, particularly in the city of Christchurch, New Zealand's second largest city. [5] [6]