OPINION (Newshub) – A swarm of earthquakes has been triggered off the North Island’s east coast by a large seismic event similar to what preceded the 2011 Japanese quake and tsunami. GNS Science has confirmed one of the largest “slow-slips” ever observed in New Zealand is currently underway off the coast of Gisborne in the Hikurangi subduction zone. A slow-slip is essentially a slow, silent earthquake
undetectable by humans and the seismograph network because it is the movement of faults over weeks or months, according to GNS Science geophysicist Laura Wallace. That compares to typical quakes which happen over minutes or seconds. This slow-slip began last week and so far scientists have recorded “up to 3cm of eastward displacement,” said Wallace. “This is caused by up to 10-15cm of movement on the Hikurangi plate boundary offshore of Gisborne.” READ MORE
