Alpine Fault
transform — 600 km
The Alpine Fault runs almost the entire length of New Zealand's South Island along the Southern Alps. It ruptures in major earthquakes roughly every 300 years, and over 300 years have now passed since the last event, making it one of the most predictable major fault systems on Earth.
Type
transform
Length
600 km
Countries
1
Cities at Risk
2
Risk Assessment
75% chance of M8+ in next 50 years
Last Major Earthquake
M8.1 — South Island, New Zealand (1717-01-01)
Affected Countries
Cities Near This Fault
Data: USGS Earthquake Hazards Program