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Park earthquake history

A comprehensive catalogue of geological events recorded within proximity to the marine reserve boundaries.

Recorded Seismic Activity and Historical Earthquake Data for Hikurangi Marine Reserve

Access a structured collection of historical earthquake records linked by epicentre distance to the underwater terrain of Hikurangi Marine Reserve. This data highlights recorded seismic events that have occurred in the coastal and canyon environments surrounding this protected area. Review individual event magnitudes, depths, and geographic coordinates to understand the long term seismic history of this unique marine landscape without predictive assessment.

Related tags

marine reservemarine protected areadeep-sea canyonKaikoura coastsubmarine canyon

New Zealand's largest and deepest marine reserve, where cold southern waters meet warm subtropical currents along the Kaikōura coast.

Hikurangi Marine Reserve

Hikurangi Marine Reserve is a marine protected area off the coast of the Kaikōura District on the South Island of New Zealand, in the Canterbury Region. Established in 2014 and managed by the Department of Conservation, it is the largest and deepest marine reserve in the country, covering an area of more than 10,000 hectares south of the Kaikōura township. The reserve is defined by its dramatic underwater geography, including part of the Kaikōura Canyon, a deep side branch of the Hikurangi Trough that plunges to around 1,000 metres. Along its shoreline are greywacke boulder and bedrock reefs, while Panau Island and two smaller islets sit offshore. The combination of canyon depth, varied seafloor habitats, and convergence of ocean currents makes the area unusually rich in marine life. Hikurangi is a strictly protected reserve, where no fishing, harvesting, or mining is allowed. Despite this restricted status, the area has become well known as one of the most rewarding places in New Zealand to view whales, dolphins, and seabirds in their natural setting, supported by a nutrient-rich marine environment that draws an exceptional concentration of species.

Location
New Zealand
Park type
Marine protected area
Established
2014
Area
104.2 km²
Hikurangi Marine Reserve Protected Area

Review Hikurangi Marine Reserve dates, depths, places, and distances

Study historical earthquake records near Hikurangi Marine Reserve

Hikurangi Marine Reserve’s index calculates distance between earthquake epicentres and its protected Kaikōura coast and deep-sea-canyon setting, without locating events inside the no-take reserve automatically. Dates, magnitudes, depths, places, separation, and sources document history but do not establish marine effects, current hazard, geological cause, impacts, or future seismicity.

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This page describes catalogued earthquakes associated with the park by epicentre location and distance. It does not establish causation, assess current danger, or predict future earthquakes.

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Park atlas

Go beyond Hikurangi Marine Reserve earthquake history in the atlas

Discover other protected parks after Hikurangi Marine Reserve

After the Hikurangi Marine Reserve earthquake section, readers can move into other protected landscapes beyond its deep-sea canyon and Kaikoura coast. Their inclusion does not imply shared marine designation, geography, proximity, seismic evidence, geology, hazard, risk, or earthquake-page availability, and each profile establishes its own scope.
National parkNew Zealand
79 km away#1 closest

Northwest

Nelson Lakes National Park: Alpine Geography and Glacial Lakes Atlas

Explore New Zealand's protected mountain terrain and natural landscapes.

Nelson Lakes National Park provides a deep dive into a dramatic alpine environment situated at the northern edge of New Zealand's Southern Alps. This national park is characterized by its striking glacial lakes, Rotoiti and Rotoroa, and the extensive mountain ranges that surround them, offering a rich context for understanding protected land distribution. Explore the park's mapped geography, its distinct beech forest ecosystems, and the rugged natural terrain that makes it a significant feature within the broader South Island landscape.

Area
1,018.8 km²
Established
1956
IUCN
II
Relief
Mountain
Protected landscapeMarlborough Region
92 km away#2 closest

North

Mount Richmond Forest Park: Geography and Protected Landscapes in the Marlborough Region

Expansive native bush and mountain peak terrain

Mount Richmond Forest Park stands as one of the largest protected forest areas on the South Island of New Zealand. Dominated by dense native bush and rugged subalpine ridges, the park offers a complex topography of river valleys and high-altitude peaks, including its namesake Mount Richmond. It serves as a vital conservation landscape and a core segment of the regional geography between Nelson and the Marlborough district.

Area
1,659 km²
Established
1977
Relief
Mountain
Scope
Terrestrial
Protected landscapeCanterbury
About 107 km away#3 closest

West

Lake Sumner Forest Park: Geography and Protected Landscape Atlas for Canterbury

Mountainous river valleys and remote beech forests

Spanning over 100,000 hectares of the Canterbury high country, Lake Sumner Forest Park stands as a prime example of New Zealand's protected backcountry. This mapping resource details the park's river-carved terrain, subalpine fringes, and its role as a connective wilderness area between major South Island mountain ranges.

Area
1,051 km²
Relief
Mountain
Climate
Temperate
Access
Moderate access
A horizontal watercolor illustration depicting a coastal landscape with winding light-colored sandbars, pale water channels, and soft green rolling hills under a muted pastel sky.
Regional parkCanterbury Region
About 114 km away#4 closest

Southwest

Northern Pegasus Bay Regional Park: Canterbury Coastal Geography and Protected Land Atlas

Mapping the beaches, estuaries, and dunes of Northern Pegasus Bay.

Northern Pegasus Bay spans a long, curving stretch of the Canterbury coastline on New Zealand's South Island. This regional park protects a range of coastal landforms, including pebbly beaches, dune systems, and the regionally significant Ashley Rakahuri Estuary. The geography reflects a dynamic exchange of sediment across multiple river mouths, creating a distinct environmental corridor between coastal communities and the sea.

Relief
Lowland
Climate
Temperate
Access
Easy access
Scope
Mixed
Watercolor painting of mountains, green valleys, and a winding river under a soft sky
National parkWest Coast Region
115 km away#5 closest

Northwest

Kahurangi National Park: A National Park of Ancient Geology and Diverse Protected Landscapes in New Zealand

Explore the mapped natural terrain and regional geographic context.

Kahurangi National Park is distinguished by its extraordinary geological diversity, representing New Zealand's finest Paleozoic rock sequence and expansive karst features. Covering a vast area in the West Coast Region, it protects a remarkable array of natural landscapes, from coastal cliffs and nikau palm forests to alpine tussock basins and deep gorges. This national park is crucial for understanding New Zealand's natural heritage, offering a rich tapestry of mapped terrain and protected biodiversity for dedicated geographic exploration.

Area
5,193 km²
Established
1996
IUCN
II
Relief
Mixed relief
National parkNew Zealand
127 km away#6 closest

West

Arthur's Pass National Park: Dramatic Alpine Protected Landscape in the Southern Alps

Explore the unique geography and mapped boundaries of this South Island national park.

Arthur's Pass National Park, a substantial protected area within New Zealand's Southern Alps, presents a compelling focus for geographic and atlas exploration. Characterized by dramatic alpine terrain shaped by ancient glacial forces, the park exhibits a striking ecological contrast between its drier eastern beech forests and wetter western rainforests. Users can delve into the mapped park boundaries and understand the regional landscape context of this unique protected area, making it a key destination for understanding New Zealand's natural geography.

Area
1,184.7 km²
Established
1929
IUCN
II
Relief
Mountain
Regional parkCanterbury Region
About 129 km away#7 closest

Southwest

Waimakariri River Regional Park: Geography and Protected Landscape Atlas for Canterbury

Braided river corridors and wetland habitats in the Canterbury Region

Waimakariri River Regional Park encompasses a significant managed corridor along the Waimakariri River, featuring an intricate mix of braided riverbeds, saltmarshes, and reforested land. This profile details the park topography, highlighting its role in regional flood management and its varied natural terrain across the Canterbury Plains, providing a clear geographic view of its multi-use protected boundaries.

Area
150 km²
Relief
Lowland
Access
Easy access
Scope
Terrestrial
Protected landscapeSouth Island
About 140 km away#8 closest

West

Victoria Forest Park: A Deep Dive Into New Zealand's Largest Protected Forest Landscape

Inland West Coast mountain ranges and beech forest ecosystems

Spanning over 200,000 hectares, Victoria Forest Park stands as a defining geographic feature of the South Island. It acts as a critical refuge for endemic species and preserves all five native beech tree types within a massive, continuous protected area. The landscape integrates rugged mountain ranges with deep river valleys and historical industrial artifacts, providing a comprehensive look at the intersection of conservation and regional history.

Area
2,069 km²
Established
1981
Relief
Mountain
Climate
Temperate
MoriAtlas Explorer

Continue Exploring the Marine Geography of Hikurangi Marine Reserve

Open this detailed geographic profile to map the underwater terrain of the Kaikoura Canyon. Through MoriAtlas, gain a clearer understanding of how protected marine boundaries and unique offshore currents shape this critical environment for whale and dolphin habitats.