Just how often does a Kaikōura fault rupture?

Embargoed until: Publicly released: 2022-04-22 08:28

New Zealand

MAP: US GOV - https://www.usgs.gov/media/images/magnitude-78-earthquake-new-zealand, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=53119726

NZ researchers have revised current estimates around how frequently the Kekerengu Fault ruptures. The fault was one of many involved in the 2016 Kaikōura earthquake, which provided a rare opportunity for researchers to analyse the newly deformed ground to get a better sense of just how often its surface ruptures. The researchers estimate the fault has surface ruptured on average every 375 years (give or take 32 years) since approximately the year 300 AD.

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Research Taylor and Francis Group, Web page

Journal/
conference: New Zealand Journal of Geology and Geophysics

Research:Paper

Organisation/s: Victoria University of Wellington, GNS Science, Humboldt State University, USA

Funder: This work was supported by Earthquake Commission [grant number 18/758].

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