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Magnitude 7.0

Saturday March 9, 1929 - 10:50 PM, 20 km north-east of Arthur's Pass
Shaking The estimated intensity of ground shaking near the earthquake's epicentre.
Extreme
Depth The distance below the Earth's surface where the earthquake originated.
12 km
Quality An indication of how reliable the earthquake's location and details are, based on the amount and quality of data available.
Best

This earthquake toppled chimneys and furniture in the Arthur's Pass area.

Isoseismal map of the Arthur's Pass earthquake. Courtesy Atlas of isoseismal maps of New Zealand earthquakes (2nd edition): Downes, G.L.; Dowrick, D.J.
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Isoseismal map of the Arthur's Pass earthquake. Courtesy Atlas of isoseismal maps of New Zealand earthquakes (2nd edition): Downes, G.L.; Dowrick, D.J.

At 10:50 pm local time on 9 March 1929, a severe earthquake struck the small, isolated communities of Arthur's Pass and Otira, toppling chimneys and throwing furniture. The earthquake was felt throughout the South Island and as far north as Taranaki and Napier in the North Island.