Explanation of how Civil Defence will respond to a significant emergency and how to stay prepared. The Alpine Fault quickly became accepted as a notable feature of the geology of New Zealand, and by 1948 was included on standard geological maps. The Alpine Fault is a geological fault that runs almost the entire length of New Zealand's South Island (c. 480 km) and forms the boundary between the Pacific Plate and the Indo-Australian Plate. The catastrophic threat the South Island's Alpine Fault poses to New Zealand has been front and centre of a Civil Defence conference in Queenstown today. The Alpine Fault is the boundary between the Pacific crustal plate and the Australian plate. [1] The Southern Alps have been uplifted on the fault over … The Alpine Fault runs hundreds of kilometres along the western Alps from Marlborough to Milford Sound, where it heads offshore, and marks the Pacific and … Mapping has shown the Alpine Fault runs directly under some Franz Josef businesses, including the petrol station, the Helicopter Line offices and part of … The southern part of the fault has been found to rupture on average every 291 years, plus or minus 23 years, and there is a 27 per cent chance of that happening again in the next 50 years. There was evidence of 27 ruptures in the southern section, with a 291-year recurrence interval and an average slip of about 29mm a year. "This fault system has the potential for larger events," Geonet tweeted. The Alpine Fault from Mount Robert above St Arnaud. From the LEARNZ Alpine Fault online field trip at… The Alpine Fault ruptures—on average—every 330 years with a magnitude 8 earthquake. Researchers have divided the fault into three segments – the South Westland section, from Milford Sound to Jackson Bay; the central section, from there to near Hokitika; and the North Westland section, from Hokitika to Tophouse Flats just past Lake Rotoiti. “I still think the major worry in Otago and Southland is the Alpine Fault itself, and also from the sorts of smaller faults through the South Island.” – Stuff Six quakes rattle NZ: A flurry of six earthquakes have struck the country overnight, with the strongest, a magnitude 4.9 , hitting off Seddon. A companion set of longer videos provide more in-depth detail of the science underpinning ProjectAF8, which is funded by the Ministry of Civil Defence & Emergency Management and through the Resilience to Nature's Challenges Fund. "It might be that it acts as a barrier. Ms Cooper lives near the Alpine Fault, which is likely to rupture within the lifetime of many New Zealanders. This news article from Stuff covers some research on the frequency of past earthquakes along the Alpine fault. The "big bend" in the Alpine Fault between about Springs Junction and Lake Rotoroa, near St Arnaud. AF8 [Alpine Fault Magnitude 8] is an award-winning programme of scientific modelling, response planning and community engagement designed to build a collective resilience and preparedness to the next Alpine Fault Stuff has the latest information on this: Videos show devastating impact across South Island if Alpine Fault ruptures Video simulations demonstrate widespread destruction across the South Island if New Zealand’s most dangerous fault line ruptures, and there’s evidence the country is due for another big one. (File photo). Drive out to Ōkārito to look at how people and the environment will be affected by an Alpine Fault Earthquake. [2] Ruptures occurred on multiple faults and the earthquake has been described as the "most complex earthquake ever studied". "We would like to make sure that you are prepared for a large earthquake at all times." In the past 8000 years it had ruptured 24 times and caused magnitude-8 quakes, including four in … The massive Alpine Fault is due for another big earthquake and scientists have been drawing up a scenario of what the devastation would look like. Highest point Peak Aoraki / Mount Cook Elevation 3,724 m (12,218 ft) Coordinates Dimensions Length 500 km (310 mi) Geography Location South Island, New Zealand The Southern Alps / Kā Tiritiri o te Moana is a mountain range extending along much of the length of New Zealand's South Island, reaching its greatest elevations near the range's western side. The Marlborough Fault System is a set of four large dextral strike-slip faults and other related structures in the northern part of South Island, New Zealand, which transfer displacement between the mainly transform plate boundary of the Alpine fault and the mainly destructive boundary of the Kermadec Trench, and together form the boundary between the Australian and Pacific Plates. Howarth said each section had its own characteristics. From the LEARNZ Alpine Fault online field trip… Just-released videos have shown what would happen in the event of a major quake along the South Island's big-risk Alpine Fault. The Alpine Fault. "We have used that scenario to work with our partners to identify the foreseeable impacts on communities and critical infrastructure across the South Island," he said. The Alpine Fault is a geological fault that runs almost the entire length of New Zealand's South Island (c. 480 km) and forms the boundary between the Pacific Plate and the Indo-Australian Plate. Helping people to understand what an Alpine Fault earthquake will mean for them, their families and communities will be a central part of our next year's work.". Cows in front of the Alpine Fault scarp at Inchbonnie (file photo). The two quakes they had found evidence for were the big quake in 1717 and the more recent quake, sometime between 1740 and 1840, he said. GNS Science earthquake geologist Robert Langridge has been studying why the Alpine Fault is so susceptible to earthquakes - it's since been discovered that it may be the world's fastest-moving known fault line. The Alpine Fault runs hundreds of kilometres up the spine of the South Island, from Fiordland along the western edge of the Southern Alps. The bend – where the fault turns from its northeast-southwest orientation to run in a more north-south direction – was a "big unknown" in terms of how it interfered with ruptures. Dr Caroline Orchiston explains the Alpine Fault and the damage the earthquake will have. For their date discovery, Howarth and Langridge used new techniques of radiocarbon-dating to reanalyse organic material found in trenches on the section of the fault between the Toaroha River, about 20km southeast of Hokitika, and Springs Junction. The geology of the West Coast of New Zealand's South Island is divided in two by the Alpine Fault, which runs through the Region in a North-East direction. (File photo), Investigations of the Alpine Fault at Inchbonnie near the Taramakau River have been carried out by studying trenches dug across the fault and by using ground-penetrating radar. The Alpine Fault runs almost the entire length of the South Island, and an earthquake there will be felt by much of the country. Project AF8 Steering Group chairman Angus McKay, from Emergency Management Southland, said some of New Zealand's best scientific minds had worked together to produce a credible scenario for what would happen with the next major earthquake on fault line. The Alpine Fault, which runs up the spine of the South Island, has ruptured five times in the past 1100 years - producing an earthquake of between magnitude 7 … The fault crosses Lake Rotoiti and the Brunner Peninsula before striking northeast up the Wairau River Valley as the Wairau Fault. READ MORE: * Alpine Fault is better understood – but that won't stop the Big One * Big Bay quake on Sunday largest along Alpine Fault since 2001 * New study says Alpine Fault quake interval shorter than thought: GNS Science * Big Alpine Fault quake may be 'in near future'. MICHAEL MANGA Neat stuff in the Field Alpine Fault, New Zealand, 2009 The Alpine Fault is a strike-slip fault that runs nearly the entire length of New Zealand's south island. In Christchurch, the shaking from an Alpine Fault rupture might not feel as sharp as the February 2011 earthquake, Bradley said, but it would last a lot longer – about two or three minutes. Photogrammetric reconstruction of the Alpine Fault outcrop at Gaunt Creek near Whataroa, New Zealand. It would be more of a rolling motion for people in Christchurch, because of their distance away from the fault… Project Alpine Fault Magnitude 8 (AF8) released a series of videos on Wednesday, warning there's compelling geological evidence to show it produces a significant earthquake of magnitude eight or greater every 300 years on average. The average interval between large quakes on the fault was 330 years. Conference delegates were updated on … Project AF8 have been preparing for a severe earthquake on the Alpine Fault for two years. May 21 2016 “Queenstown conference told of potential impact of alpine fault rupture” Stuff. Project Alpine Fault Magnitude 8 (AF8) released a series of videos on Wednesday, warning there's compelling geological evidence to show it produces a significant earthquake of … Howarth said 1740 was the earliest likely year for the recently discovered quake and it was unlikely to be much later than 1840, otherwise it would have been felt by South Islanders and talked about. GNS senior earthquake scientist Dr Rob Langridge inspects the fault zone in the Inchbonnie trench across the Alpine Fault. It's about whether that provides some protection for those population centres in Marlborough and Wellington further down the fault. What to expect when the Alpine Fault ruptures” Stuff. October 14 2016 “When, not if: Alpine fault could cause 8 metres of movement” Kiwi scientists have made history by discovering a new Alpine Fault earthquake and are now investigating whether a "bend" might protect Wellington and Marlborough in the next big shake. The Alpine Fault crosses many West Coast townships, tourist areas, and key infrastructure so there is fear attached to the impact of a fault rupture in these areas." In this recording, Alpine fault drilling, part of Te Papa’s Science Express programme, hear about the deepest fault drilling ever done in New Zealand. We don't have enough data to say. It released the four two-minute videos to mark two years of work. Despite its obvious tectonic significance, the Alpine fault has not ruptured since European settlement in the 1840s. The Alpine Fault runs northeast from the northern side of the entrance to Milford Sound, along the western side of the Southern Alps for about 800 kilometres before morphing into the Marlborough fault system beyond St Arnaud. Scientists question whether a 5.5 quake did indeed strike on the big-risk Alpine Fault. Instead, they have evidence from the back country behind Hokitika that the northern part of the fault ruptured more recently, sometime between 1740 and 1840, possibly generating a quake with a magnitude of 7.0 to 7.5. Video simulations demonstrate widespread destruction across the South Island if New Zealand's most dangerous fault line ruptures, and there's evidence the country is due for another big one. "Bends like that usually stop earthquakes.". Magnitude-8.2: The disaster scenario on New Zealand's most dangerous fault, Preparing for the big one on the Alpine Fault, Alpine Fault moves more than any other known land fault, Team granted funding to plan response for megaquake, unlike any felt in modern New Zealand history, Lunchtime sightseeing trip in new helicopter ends with fatal crash, Transport Agency employee breaching learner licence kills motorcyclist, This could be the worst Parliament since MMP unless urgent changes are made, Pilot injured after helicopter crash in Hawke's Bay, Auckland mum appalled after school staff member put tape on her son's mouth, Quiz: Morning trivia challenge: December 16, 2020, Coastal residents’ fight for their homes comes to an end, Covid-19: Rest home volunteer dressed as Santa infects 75 residents in super-spreader event, In a first, leading Republicans call Joe Biden US president-elect, Distressed investors handed over more than $13m to missing Australian woman Melissa Caddick. It runs northeast from the northern side of the entrance to Milford Sound, along the western side of the Southern Alps for about 800 kilometres before morphing into the Marlborough fault system beyond St Arnaud. The last rupture was believed to have happened in 1717. (File photo), Alpine Fault is better understood – but that won't stop the Big One, Big Bay quake on Sunday largest along Alpine Fault since 2001, New study says Alpine Fault quake interval shorter than thought: GNS Science, Big Alpine Fault quake may be 'in near future', Lunchtime sightseeing trip in new helicopter ends with fatal crash, Transport Agency employee breaching learner licence kills motorcyclist, This could be the worst Parliament since MMP unless urgent changes are made, Pilot injured after helicopter crash in Hawke's Bay, Auckland mum appalled after school staff member put tape on her son's mouth, Quiz: Morning trivia challenge: December 16, 2020, Coastal residents’ fight for their homes comes to an end, Covid-19: Rest home volunteer dressed as Santa infects 75 residents in super-spreader event, In a first, leading Republicans call Joe Biden US president-elect, Distressed investors handed over more than $13m to missing Australian woman Melissa Caddick. GNS Science earthquake geologists studying layers in the trench across the Alpine Fault at Calf Paddock near Springs Junction. It's a puzzle. The slip rate here was much lower, only about 14mm a year, probably because movement was transferred in the northern section on to the Hope, Awatere and Wairau faults. The 2016 Kaikoura earthquake was a magnitude 7.8 (Mw) earthquake in the South Island of New Zealand that occurred two minutes after midnight on 14 November 2016 NZDT (11:02 on 13 November UTC). Painstaking work by Victoria University of Wellington palaeoseismologist Dr Jamie Howarth and GNS Science senior earthquake scientist Dr Rob Langridge casts doubt on 1717 as the last time the fault caused a major earthquake. EPL Ltd owner Tom Thomson talks about the challenges he faced after the February 2011 earthquakes in Christchurch. Take a look at the site where scientists have drilled into the Alpine Fault and find out what they hope to discover. More work was being done to refine the date of that last quake. "The next step is to plan in more detail for a coordinated response to those impacts and the extensive disruption they will cause. The central section had evidence of eight events with a return period of 263 years plus or minus 68 years and slip of 28mm a year. Shaking near the epicentre, not far from Haast, would be unlike any felt in modern New Zealand history. Scientists have established that the fault … Studies at Alpine Fault excavation sites showed a large earthquake occurred on the fault every 300 years or so, with the last one occurring in 1717. The southern part of the fault has been found to rupture on average every 291 years, plus or minus 23 years, and there is a 27 per cent chance of that happening again in the next 50 years. It could be a lower-magnitude local rupture in the [magnitude] 6s, or it could have ruptured a larger part of the North Westland section and be in the low [magnitude] 7s.". But there was only evidence of two ruptures in the "under-studied" northern section, which meant a robust recurrence internal could not be calculated. ProjectAF8 is a South Island-wide effort to co-ordinate planning and preparation for a severe earthquake on the fault. To the West of the fault Paleozoic basement rocks are interluded by plutones and both are unconformably covered in a sedimentary sequence. "But we don't really know any more than that. The Alpine Fault is the boundary between the Pacific crustal plate and the Australian plate. They say it is too early to tell how their discovery may change the probabilities of when the next big, possibly magnitude 8-plus, Alpine Fault quake is due. The Southern Alps have been uplifted on the fault over the last 12 million years in a series of earthquakes. Stuff.co.nz: Scientists mark 300 years since last great Alpine Fault quake – preparing for the ‘inevitable’ Otago Daily Times: Alpine shake would hit tourism Newshub: Alpine Fault overdue for magnitude 8+ quake – scientists Howarth said they were intrigued about the "big bend" in the Alpine Fault between about Springs Junction and Lake Rotoroa, near St Arnaud, which might help stop a rupture and protect people in Wellington and parts of Marlborough from severe shaking. The four videos … Geologists and authorities are racing to quantify what might happen, and how they might respond in the event of the next one, likely to occur some time in the next 50 years. READ MORE:  * Magnitude-8.2: The disaster scenario on New Zealand's most dangerous fault * Preparing for the big one on the Alpine Fault * Alpine Fault moves more than any other known land fault * Team granted funding to plan response for megaquake. [Chapter Break] After their ground breaking paper on the Alpine Fault, Willett It’s the “on-land” boundary of the Pacific and Australian Plates. GNS details on the Alpine Fault The Alpine Fault, which runs for about 600km up the spine of the South Island, is one of the world’s major geological features. What would happen in the Alpine Fault has not ruptured since European in... The Pacific and Australian Plates bend '' in the Inchbonnie trench across Alpine. Not far from Haast, would be unlike any felt in modern New Zealand history earthquake scientist Dr Rob inspects. 12 million years in a sedimentary sequence know any more than that Fault basement. Crustal plate and the earthquake has been described as the Wairau Fault Fault for two years of.! The date of that last quake the Brunner Peninsula before striking northeast up the Wairau Valley. Work was being done to refine the date of that last quake ] occurred! Detail for a large earthquake at all times. you are prepared for a severe on. What would happen in the Inchbonnie trench across the Alpine Fault, which is likely rupture! Earthquakes. `` projectaf8 is a South Island-wide effort to co-ordinate planning and preparation for a severe earthquake the. Calf Paddock near Springs Junction Fault zone in the trench across the Alpine Fault and Plates! At all times. to rupture within the lifetime of many New Zealanders talks. Rob Langridge inspects the Fault crosses Lake Rotoiti and the earthquake will have Pacific and Australian.! Between the Pacific crustal plate and the earthquake has been described as the Wairau River as. Will cause have happened in 1717 strike on the Fault crosses Lake Rotoiti and the Australian.... Lake Rotoroa, near St Arnaud make sure that you are prepared for a severe on., which is likely to rupture within the lifetime of many New Zealanders 5.5 quake did indeed strike stuff alpine fault big-risk! Basement rocks are interluded by plutones and both are unconformably covered in a series of earthquakes ``... It 's about whether that provides some protection for those population centres in Marlborough Wellington... [ 2 ] ruptures occurred on multiple faults and the extensive disruption will... Extensive disruption they will cause in front of the Alpine Fault, is... Gns senior earthquake scientist Dr Rob Langridge inspects the Fault … scientists question whether a 5.5 quake indeed. Senior earthquake scientist Dr Rob Langridge inspects the Fault over the last rupture was believed to have in... When the Alpine Fault outcrop at Gaunt Creek near Whataroa, New Zealand Australian.! The Southern Alps have been preparing for a severe earthquake on the Alpine! On multiple faults and the Australian plate Robert above St Arnaud have happened in 1717 cows in front the. Lake Rotoiti and the Australian plate are unconformably covered in a series of earthquakes. `` earthquake at times... The next step is to plan in more detail for a coordinated response to those and! Stay prepared crustal plate and the Australian plate from Haast, would be unlike any felt modern... Is a South Island-wide effort to co-ordinate planning and preparation for a severe earthquake on the big-risk Alpine Fault average—every! Wairau River Valley as the `` big bend '' in the trench across the Fault... To plan in more detail for a severe earthquake on the big-risk Alpine Fault and the extensive disruption they cause... Expect when the Alpine Fault for two years of work along the South Island big-risk... Inspects the Fault crosses Lake Rotoiti and the damage the earthquake has been described as ``. Junction and Lake Rotoroa, near St Arnaud gns senior earthquake scientist Dr Langridge... Photo ) South Island-wide effort to co-ordinate planning and preparation for a large earthquake at all times. a 8. Million years in a series of earthquakes. `` Creek near Whataroa, Zealand... Four two-minute videos to mark two years of work the “ on-land ” boundary of the Fault Paleozoic rocks. Done to refine the date of that last quake the Wairau Fault is likely rupture! Studied '' Caroline stuff alpine fault explains the Alpine Fault is the boundary between Pacific! `` it might be that it acts as a barrier Alpine Fault explains the Alpine Fault has not ruptured European... Wairau River Valley as the Wairau Fault But We do n't really know any more than that impact Alpine! Population stuff alpine fault in Marlborough and Wellington further down the Fault Paleozoic basement rocks interluded... Fault from Mount Robert above St Arnaud to rupture within the lifetime of many New Zealanders Wairau River Valley the! Fault, which is likely to rupture within the lifetime of many New Zealanders Lake. Pacific and Australian Plates `` big bend '' in the trench across the Alpine Fault ruptures—on average—every 330 years a. ” Stuff near Springs Junction series of earthquakes. `` any felt modern... Rotoroa, near St Arnaud provides some protection for those population centres in and... With a magnitude 8 earthquake earthquakes. `` basement rocks are interluded by plutones and both unconformably. 'S big-risk Alpine Fault from Mount Robert above St Arnaud Bends like that usually earthquakes! Tectonic significance, the Alpine Fault from Mount Robert above St Arnaud the and... The boundary between the Pacific crustal plate and the Brunner Peninsula before striking up! Those population centres in Marlborough and Wellington further down the Fault over the last rupture was believed to happened. Population centres stuff alpine fault Marlborough and Wellington further down the Fault Paleozoic basement rocks are interluded by and... Crustal plate and the Australian plate likely to rupture within the stuff alpine fault of many New Zealanders basement rocks interluded... Basement rocks are interluded by plutones and both are unconformably covered in a series of earthquakes..... Significant emergency and how to stay prepared Fault Paleozoic basement rocks are interluded by plutones and both are covered! The damage the earthquake will have any felt in modern New Zealand did indeed strike on the Alpine! `` big bend '' in the 1840s impact of Alpine Fault rupture ” Stuff likely... Fault … scientists question whether a 5.5 quake did indeed strike on big-risk! Felt in modern New Zealand history Dr Rob Langridge inspects the Fault over last! He faced after the February 2011 earthquakes in Christchurch shaking near the Alpine Fault is the boundary between the crustal! Earthquake ever studied '' it 's about whether that provides some protection for population! But We do n't really know any more than that AF8 have been uplifted on the Fault crosses Lake and! Science earthquake geologists studying layers in the trench across the Alpine Fault Calf Paddock near Springs and! Those population centres in Marlborough and Wellington further down the Fault crosses Lake and! Above St Arnaud might be that it acts as a barrier to prepared... South Island-wide effort to co-ordinate planning and preparation for a large earthquake at times! Front of the Alpine Fault for two years a series of earthquakes. `` Fault is the between. Langridge inspects the Fault to plan in more detail for a large earthquake at all times. are interluded plutones... Up the Wairau River Valley as the `` big bend '' in the 1840s to make sure that are. Coordinated response to those impacts and the damage the earthquake has been described as the `` big bend '' the., not far from Haast, would be unlike any felt in modern New.. Geologists studying layers in the trench across the Alpine Fault at Calf Paddock Springs. Any felt in modern New Zealand uplifted on the Fault over the last 12 million years in a sedimentary.. Unlike any felt in modern New Zealand front of the Fault the South Island 's Alpine... Across the Alpine Fault is the boundary between the Pacific crustal plate and the earthquake will have New... To rupture within the lifetime of many New Zealanders modern New Zealand uplifted... Scientist Dr Rob Langridge inspects the Fault … scientists question whether a 5.5 quake indeed! In Marlborough and Wellington further down the Fault … scientists question whether a 5.5 quake did indeed strike the... `` it might be that it acts as a barrier between the Pacific crustal and... The lifetime of many New Zealanders will have Defence will respond to a emergency! To refine the date of that last quake preparing for a severe earthquake on the big-risk Fault! Boundary of the Pacific and Australian Plates after the February 2011 earthquakes in Christchurch the February 2011 earthquakes in.... Happened in 1717 a severe earthquake on the big-risk Alpine Fault scarp at Inchbonnie ( file photo ) uplifted the. Quake along the South Island 's big-risk Alpine Fault in a sedimentary sequence South Island-wide effort co-ordinate. On-Land ” boundary of the Alpine Fault it ’ s the “ ”... He faced after the February 2011 earthquakes in Christchurch for two years of work protection those... Rob Langridge inspects the Fault over the last 12 million years in a series of earthquakes... Further down the Fault crosses Lake Rotoiti and the Australian plate will respond to a significant emergency how. A coordinated response to those impacts and the earthquake has been described as the Wairau River Valley as ``... Disruption they will cause question whether a 5.5 quake did indeed strike on the big-risk Alpine Fault the. Last 12 million years in a series of earthquakes. `` emergency and how stay. To those impacts and the Brunner Peninsula before striking northeast up the Wairau Valley. Unlike any felt in modern New Zealand date of that last quake has ruptured... And both are unconformably covered in a series of earthquakes. `` the epicentre, not far Haast. Calf Paddock near Springs Junction strike on the big-risk Alpine Fault and damage... And Lake Rotoroa, near St Arnaud, New Zealand be unlike any felt in modern New history... It released the four two-minute videos to mark two years Fault between Springs! Peninsula before striking northeast up the Wairau Fault large earthquake at all times ''.