Natural Disasters

Taiwan has been rocked by hundreds of aftershocks following a 7.2 magnitude earthquake which hit the east of the island on Wednesday.

A twice-flooded northern Hawke's Bay primary school is continuing to take lessons at a Mormon church. Audio

Greymouth mayor Tania Gibson says there were no reports of damage after the magnitude 5.1 quake, but it came as a shock.

The region has more than 200 outdoor tsunami sirens in coastal communities.

A New Zealander living in New York says the magnitude 4.8 quake that rocked the north-east US reminded her of home.

Rescuers in Taiwan faced the threat of further landslides and rockfalls in their search on Friday for a dozen people still missing from this week's earthquake, as the death toll rose to 12 and some of…

Four people caught in the 7.4 magnitude quake recall the moment it struck and how they survived. Video

Taiwan's biggest earthquake in at least 25 years killed nine people and injured more than 900, while 50 workers travelling in minibuses to a hotel in a national park are missing.

The quake, which hit duing rush hour in Taiwan, set off a tsunami warning for southern Japan and the Philippines that was later lifted. Video

Delphine Herbert - who was also in Christchurch for the 2011 disaster - was on her first full day in Taiwan when the quake hit. Audio

They are defending the Civil Defence response to Cyclone Gabrielle but agree that emergency management systems need to be overhauled. Audio

A West Auckland couple say they are sick of waiting to find out the fate of their flood-damaged home, as their neighbours get answers.

Timetables at the South Island's biggest secondary school have been thrown into disarray.

A volcano in Iceland has erupted for the fourth time since December, the country's meteorological office says.

"We are very fortunate that we will be able to reopen with pretty much all attractions back on offer," the park manager said.

The higher national standard for seismic design is adding to construction and design costs.