The Kaikoura Earthquake: what happened and what does it mean?

Associate Professor John Townend explains the science behind the quake, the aftershock pattern, and ongoing geological phenomena such as the “slowslip”.

Public lecture series - Associate Professor John Townend

December 2016

New Zealand’s most significant earthquake since 2011’s Christchurch sequence, the Kaikoura Earthquake has caused significant disruption to families, infrastructure, and regional economies. Repair work is underway but the long-term significance of the quake is still being assessed.

Victoria University’s Associate Professor John Townend has been closely involved in GNS Science’s analysis of the quake and is currently co-ordinating a massive deployment of seismometers along the east coasts of the North and South Islands to measure ongoing land movement.

Associate Professor Townend explains the science behind the quake, the aftershock pattern, and ongoing geological phenomena such as the “slowslip” which is currently affecting the North Island’s east coast.

Our public lecture series gives you the opportunity to engage with the latest thinking on the world’s major issues. To stay informed of upcoming public lecture at Victoria University of Wellington, sign up to the public lecture mailing list.