Beginning with the geological setting of Wellington and the tectonic forces at play, the book analyzes major earthquakes like the 1848 Marlborough earthquake, detailing the extent of damage and the immediate responses. It progresses to examining the evolution of earthquake engineering and building codes, integrating historical narratives with scientific data from newspaper reports, government records, and personal accounts.
The book uniquely combines historical narrative with scientific analysis and concludes by assessing Wellingtonâs current preparedness measures and identifying areas for improvement, emphasizing practical steps for enhancing community resilience and seismic preparedness.