Will major earthquake strike New Zealand? Seismologists spill beans on looming natural disaster
Seismologists in New Zealand said on Friday there is a high
possibility of more powerful aftershocks after the 7.8-magnitude quake
rocked South Island on Monday, killing two people.
The tremor struck 16km underground near Hanmer Springs, some
91 km northeast of Christchurch in the South Island, and was felt
across the country. The earthquake was of a greater magnitude than the
devastating tremors that struck Christchurch in 2010 and 2011.The official GeoNet science agency said the earthquake permanently
changed the region's geography as the land moved up to 11 metres (36
feet) along the many faultlines in the South Island disaster zone.
The seabed was also pushed by the quake by as much as two
metres along a 110 kilometre (70 mile) stretch of coastline including
Kaikoura, a tourist town. GeoNet said at least four faults were ruptured
by the quake. It said the quake was "clearly... one of the most complex
earthquakes that has ever been observed".
Since Monday, the region has been experiencing more than
2,000 aftershocks and the agency added that the residents should be
prepared for more major shakes in the coming weeks.
A four-wheel-drive vehicle negotiates the damaged State Highway One near the town of Ward, south of Blenheim, South Island.Reuters
It said that the current probability of 6.0-magnitude quakes
and above was "about 100 times larger than what we would normally
expect".
The authorities also warned about several dangerous
temporary dams which were created by some rain-swollen rivers, blocked
by quake debris.
"Landslide dams can break quickly, and release large volumes
of water and sediment as a flood wave," Sarah Stuart-Black, the Civil
Defence director told AFP.
New Zealand sits on the highly seismically active zone
"Pacific Ring of Fire" and experiences frequent volcanic eruptions and
earthquakes. Check out some more photos of the disastrous earthquake in New Zealand:
Landslides block State Highway One near Kaikoura on the upper east coast of South IslandReuters
A railway line is damaged by an earthquake, near Tirohanga stream south of Blenheim on the South Island.Reuters
Policemen
and locals look at damage following an earthquake, along State Highway
One near the town of Ward, south of Blenheim on New Zealand's South
Island, November 14, 2016.Reuters
Local
residents Chris and Viv Young look at damage caused by an earthquake
along State Highway One, south of the township of Blenheim on South
IslandReuters
Evacuees
formerly stranded in the earthquake-affected town of Kaikoura stand
alongside the helicopter that brought them to the town of Woodend, near
Christchurch, New Zealand.Reuters
A
Royal New Zealand Air Force NH90 helicopter delivers government
officials and police to assess earthquake damage in Kaihoura on the
upper east coast of South IslandReuters
Local
residents Chris and Viv Young look at damage caused by an earthquake
along State Highway One near the town of Ward, south of Blenheim on
South Island.Reuters
Evacuees
formerly stranded in the earthquake-affected town of Kaikoura walk away
from the New Zealand Air Force helicopter that brought them to the town
of Woodend, near Christchurch, New Zealand.Reuters
Read more on http://www.ibtimes.sg/will-major-earthquake-strike-new-zealand-seismologists-spill-beans-looming-natural-disaster-4793 Evacuees formerly stranded in the earthquake-affected town of Kaikoura rest aboard the New Zealand naval ship HMNZS Canterbury
Hi, new Zealand hasn't had a large aftershock for the 7.8 earthquake since Monday. As a Canterbury citizen this seems unusual to me. as I recall from the September 2010 quake there were several large aftershocks within the following few weeks/months. I would've expected similar activities as the quake was of similar size, or even more activity as this quake was bigger.
With this in mind, do we expect the aftershocks to come, to perhaps be of a high magnitude, for instance another 7+? Or would we still expect just a bunch of 6+ and lots of 5s? Cheers tom
Hi there! How are you keeping I hope in good shape and not worrying too much! Assuming the 7.5R is a main event and I think it is likely to be, then smaller magnitude as you said are likely to follow. There would be spaced out and our method here is pretty good in picking not only main events but also aftershocks. Hope you guys are good! Take Good Care. God Bless!
Hi, new Zealand hasn't had a large aftershock for the 7.8 earthquake since Monday. As a Canterbury citizen this seems unusual to me. as I recall from the September 2010 quake there were several large aftershocks within the following few weeks/months. I would've expected similar activities as the quake was of similar size, or even more activity as this quake was bigger.
ReplyDeleteWith this in mind, do we expect the aftershocks to come, to perhaps be of a high magnitude, for instance another 7+? Or would we still expect just a bunch of 6+ and lots of 5s?
Cheers tom
Hi there! How are you keeping I hope in good shape and not worrying too much!
ReplyDeleteAssuming the 7.5R is a main event and I think it is likely to be, then smaller magnitude as you said are likely to follow. There would be spaced out and our method here is pretty good in picking not only main events but also aftershocks. Hope you guys are good! Take Good Care. God Bless!