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's Slip
BUSCH Jane Mrs (nee REVELL) Matakitaki Valley, Murchison Busch's Slip
BUSCH Ronald Samuel Revell Matakitaki Valley, Murchison Busch's Slip
CHAMLEY William Cardiff Bridge Mine, Seddonville (Miner) West Coast
FERGUSON Thelma Miss Maruia Valley, Glengarry Gibsons' Slip
GIBSON Eliza Mrs Maruia Valley, Glengarry Gibsons' Slip
GIBSON Leonard Martin Mstr Mariua Valley, Glengarry Gibsons' Slip
HOLMAN Lionel Clive Mstr Lower Maruia Valley Holman's Slip
HOLMAN Vera Mrs Lower Maruia Valley Holman's Slip
McALLISTER (McALISTER) Robert Glasgow Mine, Seddonville (Miner) West Coast
MOREL Charles Gustave Matakitaki Valley, Murchison Busch's Slip
RUSSELL David Mokihinui River (Prospector) Mokihinui
RUSSELL James Mokihinui River (Prospector) Mokihinui
STUBBS Arthur Douglas Golden Bay Cement Office, Takaka Takaka
THOMSON (THOMPSON) Nellie Agnes (nee BEILBY) Maruia Valley, Glengarry (Diabetic - died due to lack of Insulin) Maruia
WELCH John Thomas Buller Gorge (Died 26 June from injuries received) Buller Gorge
WESTBROOK Leo Gordon Maruia Valley, Glengarry Westbrook's Slip

The Memorial Cairn at Murchison reads: Murchison Earthquake 17 June 1929 - This memorial is a gift to the people of the Murchison District and marks the transiton to the new millennium.
Presented by the Murchison District Historical & Museum Society. Nelson and the West Coast are included. As they too were affecteed by this event of nature.
Most of the people who lost their lives Murchison were all engulfed by rock falls and slips. And a rock from the actual slip that took their lives has been used as their memorial.
Those who died from the wide area share other plaques mounted here.


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