Murchison and Karamea

Murchison - Capital of Earthquakes

Murchison is New Zealand's earthquake capital. It experiences several hundred small earthquakes per year. It lies directly on the Indo-Australian and Pacific plate fault line, as does much of the New Zealand. The fault line actually runs directly up Wellingtons main highway. Over millions of years this fault line has not only been responsible for moulding the shape of our country but also it's climate. As the plates crashed together, in the South Island, they pushed upwards forming the jagged peaks of the Southern Alps, a mountain range longer than the Swiss, Austrian and Italian alps combined. In addition to the pressure of the alps pushing against each other, there is also a strong north/south movement, the land in this region has been torn apart by the titanic struggle of the two tectonic plates, the exact same rock can be found in Otago, some 450km away. Whilst the enormous pressure formed the Alps by pushing them up from the ocean floor, in the North Island, the plate buckled under the pressure, instead of it raising as in the South Island, the Pacific plate sank below the Indo-Australian plate causing the earths crust to weaken and fracture resulting in the unique geothermal activity you will find in the North Island. At the same time these forces shaped the land, they also ultimately created the climate, it's unique floral and faunal evolution, and even it's colonisation.

The biggest Earthquake

The biggest earthquake to hit the region in recent time was in 1929 measuring 7.8 on the richter scale, it killed 17 people. The countryside was a mess of scattered boulders as big as six story buildings, landslides, buckled roads and demolished buidlings. The road from Murchison to Inangahua was lifted 15 feet up from it's original position and 7 feet sideways. by the end of the earthquake a piece of land 75 kilometres long and 30 kilometres wide was lifted by almost half a metre. Where the fault ran across the Buller Gorge road, a wall 2 metres high was formed. Every car in Murchison was thrown on it's side, a heavy rail locomotive with brakes on travelled 12 feet and, volcanic fissures opened up in the street outside the post office. It was a scene of utter chaos.

Karamea

Located about 100km north of Westport at the southern end of the Heaphy track is the remote settlement of Karamea. The north west corner is home to Kahurangi National Park. Unlike it's southern counterparts of Westland, Alpine and Fiordland National Parks, it has a relatively low rainfall by comparison, around 1.5m per year, Milford sound gets around 9m per year. The high sunshine hours and moderate rainfall produce a vivid array of lush thick vegetation, edging it's way from the moody coast beaches to a backdrop of forest draped mountains. The mountains beyond host some of New Zealand's most remote and inaccessible land. Amazingly local pilots land on these steep rocky slopes in order to drop off and collect hunters! Forget the thrill of the hunt!

Walking Tracks in the North of South Island

There are literally dozens of great walks all around Karamea and the surrounding area. They range from a few minutes to a full day. Ancient podocarp forests are set deep in an undergrowth of prehistoric ferns and all consuming vines, a host of weather worn sandstone caves, battered coastal lookouts, moody beaches and life giving estuaries are all part of what makes this area of the country so ecologically unique.

Karamea isn't going to the birds, they're already there! As well as having a fiesta of bushwalks, Karamea and the nearby estuaries are a haven for all sorts of seabirds including the rather intense small, black, red billed, pied oyster catcher, you'll frequently see dashing along the shoreline.

If you've come to New Zealand to experience the best that nature has provided us with, relax and enjoy the outdoors, then this could well be your perfect spot. The locals are friendly, and happy to give out information on what to do. It takes a good hour to drive up the one way road, it hugs the coastline then cuts over the happy valley saddle before returning to the coast for the last 20km into Karamea. Kahurangi National Park is one of most diverse national parks, yet it's rarely ever visited by a tour coach. Got to love having a rental car don't you!!

Did you know?

River Safety

River currents are often stronger than they appear. Water in a river exerts a very powerful force against any fixed object. This force once in place remains constant unlike the ocean where the force is released with each tidal surge. Even calm looking rivers are very powerful. You can throw in a twig to check how fast the flow is. Remember, the current is stronger around the outside of a bend in the river.

River banks can also be dangerous places because the river hollows out the bank underneath the edge. Stand away from the edge so that the bank doesn't collapse and trap you under water. Be careful of tree roots and branches in the water as you may get caught up in the tangle.

Swimming in a river is different to swimming in a swimming pool or in the sea. The pressure of moving water is constant and you may be drawn under the surface by the swirling currents. While white water rivers appear to be more dangerous than calm rivers, do not underestimate the power of any river.

If you get caught in the current, float on your back and travel feet first down stream to protect your head from impact with any objects. Angle your travel towards shore. do not fight the current but head downstream to a suitable landing beach. Never attempt to come ashore amongst trees or river debris.