Notes on the New Zealand Earthquake of 1855

Scope and Content

Notes on the New Zealand Earthquake of 1855 consists of:

  • notes made by Lyell on the New Zealand earthquake of 1855 and a photocopied extract from Lyell's publication Principles of geology, or, The modern changes of the earth and its inhabitants considered as illustrative of geology, ( 1867-1868) which relates to these notes (c1855)

Administrative / Biographical History

The earthquake which occured in the Wairarapa region of New Zealand in 1855 was the biggest earthquake New Zealand has ever suffered. 5000 km2 was shifted vertically, the maximum horizontal shift was 12 metres and the maximum uplift was 6 metres. These notes enabled Lyell to include an account of the earthquake in the 10th edition of Principles of geology, or, The modern changes of the earth and its inhabitants considered as illustrative of geology, ( 1867-1868).

Geographical Names