Earthquake hits Wellington area in New Zealand hours before Japan vs Spain in Women’s World Cup 2023

The Wellington region has been shaken by an earthquake in the middle of the Women’s World Cup 2023, less than 24 hours before the capital city of New Zealand is due to host the Group C match between Japan and Spain.

How big was the earthquake in Wellington?

GeoNet, an organisation which monitors “geological hazards” including earthquakes, volcanoes, tsunamis and landslides in the island country, reported that a tremor measuring 4.6 on the Richter scale “with moderate shaking” had occurred at 10:41 p.m. local time (6:41 a.m. ET) 10 kilometres south-west of Paraparaumu, a town which is 55 kilometres north of Wellington.

Has any damage been caused?

Although GeoNet revealed that they had received almost 20,000 reports of the tremor, it appears that there has been no major damage, while no tsunami warnings have been issues, with the two sometimes coming hand in hand.

How many earthquakes occur in New Zealand every year?

Because New Zealand is situated in the collision zone between the Indo-Australian and Pacific tectonic plates, seismic activity is common in the region, with estimates suggesting that around 20,000 earthquakes occur every year, 100 to 200 of which are big enough to be felt.

What is the biggest tremor ever recorded?

The most powerful seismic activity ever recorded was the Great Chilean earthquake in 1960, which reached 9.4 to 9.6 on the Richter scale and is thought to have killed up to 6000 people, although that is an unofficial figure.

Wellington Regional Stadium has already played host to five Women’s World Cup 2023 group games, including the USWNT’s draw against the Netherlands. Japan vs Spain and South Africa vs Italy will also be played there before the end of the group stage, while one round of 16 match and one quarter-final will take place in the New Zealand capital. All matches are expected to go ahead as normal.