A 7.8 magnitude earthquake struck the towns of Hawkes Bay, Napier, and Hastings in New Zealand on February 3, 1931, killing 256 people. The violent shock lasted nearly 3 minutes and created large clouds of dust, making it difficult for people to breathe. The earthquake severely damaged the region's economy, causing the GDP to drop 45%, though tourists later visited Napier to view the destruction despite the ongoing Great Depression.