NEW ZEALAND SEISMIC HAZARD ANALYSIS

The analysis of seismic hazard in New Zealand by the Seismic Risk Subcommittee (SRS) of the Standards Association of New Zealand was undertaken to assist the Loadings Code Amendments Committee (SANZ) in determining the frequency and level of earthquake shaking throughout New Zealand. The present seismic design loads specified in NZ 4203 : 1976 are similar to those in its predecessor NZ 1900, Chapter 8 (1965) and were based on limited data concerning the rates of earthquake activity in New Zealand and the associated levels of ground shaking. Since that time additional seismological and geological data and strong motion recordings have been gathered. This, along with an expanded research effort, primarily by the DSIR and Universities, has resulted in a significant improvement in our understanding of earthquakes in New Zealand.