In 1931, which island country experienced the deadliest earthquake in its history near Napier on Hawke Bay?

In 1931, New Zealand experienced a devastating earthquake near Napier on Hawke Bay, which is known as one of the deadliest earthquakes in the country's history. This earthquake, which occurred on February 3rd, measured 7.8 on the Richter scale and resulted in significant destruction, killing 256 people and causing substantial damage to infrastructure and buildings in the region. The earthquake also triggered a series of aftershocks and caused land subsidence and uplift in some areas.

The historical context surrounding this event highlights New Zealand's position on the Pacific Ring of Fire, an area well-known for its seismic activity due to tectonic plate movements. This particular earthquake had lasting impacts on urban planning and building regulations in New Zealand, leading to stricter earthquake-resilience measures in construction.

The other options, while they may reference countries that have experienced their own seismic events or have a history of earthquakes, were not involved in the Napier earthquake of 1931, making New Zealand the correct choice in this context.