MURCHISON EARTHQUAKE
17 JUNE 1929
MURCHISON, WEST COAST, SOUTH ISLAND, NEW ZEALAND
Shortly before 10.30am on Monday the 17 June 1929, violent shaking was felt almost all over New Zealand. In Auckland, goods on shelves were thrown to the floor. In Hornby in Christchurch a passenger locomotive was forced off the rails and in Wellington, plate glass windows were shattered.
It was obvious that a large earthquake had hit somewhere but in the days before cell-phones and helicopters it took almost 24 hours for New Zealand to find that disaster had struck Murchison, on the West Coast of the South Island.
Damage was widespread with landslides, collapsed bridges and burst dams. An area 30 kms long and 16 kms wide was lifted 40 cms. The Murchison side of the fault line was raised nearly 4.5 metres and moved sideways 1.8 metres. Nelson, Westport and Greymouth were seriously damaged.
Seventeen people lost their lives during the Murchison Earthquake - this site is dedicated to their memory.
For further information see THE MURCHISON EARTHQUAKE.
| BUSCH | Emily Mary Elizabeth Miss | Matakitaki Valley, Murchison |
| BUSCH | Jane Mrs (nee REVELL) | Matakitaki Valley, Murchison |
| BUSCH | Ronald Samuel Revell | Matakitaki Valley, Murchison |
| CHAMLEY | William | Cardiff Bridge Mine, Seddonville (Miner) |
| FERGUSON | Thelma Miss | Mariua Valley, Glengarry |
| GIBSON | Eliza Mrs | Mariua Valley, Glengarry |
| GIBSON | Leonard Martin Mstr | Mariua Valley, Glengarry |
| HOLMAN | Lionel Clive Mstr | Lower Maruia Valley |
| HOLMAN | Vera Mrs | Lower Maruia Valley |
| McALLISTER (McALISTER) | Robert | Glasgow Mine, Seddonville (Miner) |
| MOREL | Charles Gustave | Matakitaki Valley, Murchison |
| RUSSELL | David | Mokihinui River (Prospector) |
| RUSSELL | James | Mokihinui River (Prospector) |
| STUBBS | Arthur Douglas | Golden Bay Cement Office, Takaka |
| THOMSON (THOMPSON) | Nellie Agnes (nee BEILBY) | Mariua Valley, Glengarry (Diabetic - died due to lack of Insulin) |
| WELCH | John Thomas | Buller Gorge (Died 26 June from injuries received) |
| WESTBROOK | Leo Gordon | Mariua Valley, Glengarry |
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