A new study has found the probability of a major earthquake in Wellington isn't nearly as high as previously thought.
A GNS report has found the likelihood of a quake along the Wellington fault line over the next 100 years is less than ten per cent, instead of thirty per cent as was thought before the study.
Chief GNS Scientist Russ van Dissen says while the likelihood of the quake is less likely, it's still sizeable.
"Is the big one overdue? No it isn't, but there's always the likelihood of an earthquake and hopefully what this reduction in 'the big one' will mean is people will have time to do the preparation and to increase their resilience."
Mr van Dissen says there's no room for complacency when it comes to earthquakes in the capital as there are other fault lines that can cause significant damage and loss.
