The Pacific Plate on the easterly area of New Zealand is moving westwards and the Australian Plate, on the western side of New Zealand moves eastwards. You can pick out the line of the Alpine Fault on this satellite image of the South Island. Our Knowledge of the Alpine Fault . The alpine fault earthquake will alter tectonic stress distribution, and other faultlines may rupture in the days or years following it. You are represented by 12 councillors, elected to govern the Council for the people of Otago. Large sections of SH6 (Haast Highway) may be out for up to a year. The Red Hills, Fiordland This view is looking northward, from Fiordland up along the West Coast of the South Island. The effects will be worst in West Otago, diminishing eastward. The Alpine Fault ruptures—on average—every 330 years with a magnitude 8 earthquake. How often does the Alpine Fault rupture? The historical patterns of earthquakes and current research on the Alpine Fault indicate that it is likely to rupture very soon in geological terms. This earthquake will occur with no recognisable warning. The 2020 New Zealand Earthquake (pronounced "TWENTY-TWENTY", also known as the Alpine Fault Quake and the 2020 South Island Quake) is a magnitude 8.7 earthquake that will occur on the Alpine Fault in New Zealand's South Island at 11:31 (local) on Thursday, June 18th, 2020. However, most of the motion on the fault is strike-slip (side to side), with the Tasman district and West Coast moving North and Canterbury and Otagomoving South. Using techniques like these, scientists such as Mark Yetton of the University of Canterbury have found out that major earthquakes happened on the central Alpine Fault in 1100, 1450, 1620 and 1717. View the latest news and events from Otago Regional Council. A study by the U.S. Geological Survey indicates that a portion of the San Andreas fault near Tejon Pass could be overdue for a major earthquake. An Alpine Fault earthquake will likely rupture a larger fault length (several hundreds of kilometres rather than several tens of kilometres) over a longer period of time (100s of seconds rather than tens of seconds) and affect a much larger area than the Darfield earthquake. Areas such as Lakes Wakatipu, Wanaka, Hawea, Te Anau, Manapouri, Tekapo, Milford Sound Doubtful Sound are at risk from tsunami induced by massive landslips into the water. Countless landslides can be expected of all sizes. Encourage others to do likewise. The alpine fault may rupture along part of its length, with lower magnitude, and be followed shortly by rupture of the rest. Any ski-fields that were operating at the time of the rupture will pose severe rescue difficulties. The Alpine Fault stretches for hundreds of miles (kilometres) like a spine along New Zealand's South Island. At this point the surfaces of the two plates making up the South Islands alpine fault meet. You will find more information about the Alpine Fault, evidence of past earthquakes, and what preparations are being made for a coordinated response across the South Island on the Project AF8 website. Get all the information you need to get around Dunedin. In the same way that the 2016 Kaikoura earthquake caused massive landslides to block SH1 for over a year, an Alpine Fault rupture will cut road access through the Kawarau Gorge, Kingston to Frankton, Haast Pass and the Glenorchy Road may be cut in many places, mostly by landslides and dropouts. The effects will be amplified in South Island mountainous regions and high country where enormous damage can occur to peaks and ridges. We are a young country and learning to adapt to it is a necessity if you and your community are to get through. The Alpine Fault is called a strike slip or transform fault. 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 earthquake event. However, a large number of people will suffer disabling injuries. The last major earthquake on the Alpine Fault was in 1717, so we're already a little overdue for one of the biggest earthquakes in New Zealand's modern history. The result is a major earthquake along the Alpine fault. And … Many other roads will be affected. You will find the SAFER Plan for this response on the Project AF8 website www.projectaf8.co.nz. The Alpine Fault last got seriously testy in 1717 or thereabouts and before that, in descending order, 1620, 1430 and 1100. All these cities have experienced severe earthquakes since European settlement. Significant building damage can be expected in the Queenstown Lakes District. The Alpine Fault runs right through the heart of New Zealand's glacier county on the country's south island. This is not a regular pattern, but enough to suggest there is a high probability of a large earthquake … Damaging aftershocks are likely to continue for several weeks afterwards and the event will have disastrous consequences across many regions. Aggradation will deposit high sediment volumes in riverbeds lasting for many months. You can find the application forms here. New evidence of a 19th century earthquake on New Zealand's Alpine fault suggests that in at least one portion of the fault, smaller earthquakes may occur in between such large rupture events. Two very large earthquakes or a series of large earthquakes are also realistic scenarios. The Alpine Fault, which runs for about 600km up the spine of the South Island, is one of the world’s major geological features. The 2016 Kaikoura earthquake, which ruptured parts of The Humps, the Hundalee, Hope, Jordan Thurst, Papatea, Kekerengu and Needles faults. A rupture along the full length of the fast-slipping Alpine Fault on New Zealand's South Island poses the largest potential seismic threat to the southern and central parts of the country. Magnitude 8 or larger, geologists said in a special edition of the New Zealand Journal of Geology and Geophysics last year. Water, sewerage, energy, transport, health, and social services are likely to be disrupted for weeks. The Resource Management Act sets out how we should manage our environment and forms the foundation for the majority of our work. Discover more about the Otago region, the Otago Regional Council and the councillors who represent you. An Alpine Fault earthquake will likely rupture a larger fault length (several hundreds of kilometres rather than several tens of kilometres) over a longer period of time (100s of seconds rather than tens of seconds) and affect a much larger area than the Darfield earthquake. Alpine has had: (M1.5 or greater) 1 earthquake in the past 24 hours 7 earthquakes in the past 7 days; 29 earthquakes in the past 30 days; 767 earthquakes in the past 365 days The South Island Alpine Fault Earthquake Response (SAFER) Framework is the result of two years of effort by AF8, a collaboration between all the South Island’s Civil Defence Emergency Management Groups, scientists and partner agencies. Develop a plan about for what you need in order to be prepared. GNS scientists have calculated a 30% likelihood of the fault line rupturing in the next 50 years. A study released by NIWA in 2018 found evidence of tsunami up to 5m high caused by landslides into Lake Tekapo, which scientists believe will be similar to other large Otago Lakes: www.niwa.co.nz/news/lake-tekapo-study-raises-awareness-of-tsunamis-in-nz-lakes. The length of the rupture will be … A sudden onset national civil defence emergency of long duration will be called. Find out more about what rates are used for and how to pay them. While the direct impact on people, families and businesses will vary, it is certain that normal life will be disrupted for everyone in the South Island for an extended period afterwards. The Alpine Fault marks the boundary of the Pacific and Australian Plates. Many rivers and streams will become impassable. It is the boundary between the Pacific … Electricity supply is likely to be unavailable for many weeks or even months in some remote areas. Landslide dams with breakout flash flooding are very likely. The earthquake will last for about two minutes. Front page photograph: The Alpine Fault at Inchbonnie – Hohonus and Taramakau River looking east [L.Homer, GNS] M Trayes, Natural Hazards Analyst West Coast Regional Council February 20 12 Our environment is our most important asset. At 3 AM on May 29, 2013, the South Island’s technological uncon­scious roars […] The Southern Alps have been uplifted on the fault over the last 12 million years in a series of earthquakes. It will be felt throughout the South Island and the lower North Island and as far away as Sydney. Huge sediment and gravel deposits will have downstream effects for years. This includes having stored water, food, medical supplies, alternative means of cooking and heating for your household and your pets. Numerous experts say it will be the largest natural disaster of … Rock avalanches falling into the water bodies may cause tsunami in lakes, rivers, and fiords. The Alpine Fault runs for about 600km up the spine of the South Island, and is one of the world’s major geological features. It will be centred roughly 60km west of Queenstown, in the South Westland area. Those dates were … "By comparison, the Kaikōura Earthquake in 2016 ruptured a total fault length of 200km in the space of about two minutes," said Holden. Here you can find all our publications, plans and reports. 2. Damage in other parts of Otago will be irregularly distributed depending on the land forms and the built environment. "By comparison, the Kaikōura Earthquake in 2016 ruptured a total fault length of … At present, the response spectra from a great scenario earthquake from the Alpine fault can only be estimated from groundmotion - prediction equations (GMPEs) based on local and overseas earthquake records. The 1929 Arthur’s Pass earthquake on the Poulter Fault. 3. An earthquake on the Alpine Fault is likely to be one of the most significant disasters that could affect Selwyn district. www.youtube.com/channel/UC3nsXLqxO5OGcYCmEcS56sA. Ready to apply for a resource consent? 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 earthquake event. The 2020 New Zealand Earthquake (pronounced "TWENTY-TWENTY", also known as the Alpine Fault Quake and the 2020 South Island Quake) is a magnitude 8.7 earthquake that will occur on the Alpine Fault in New Zealand's South Island at 11:31 (local) on Thursday, June 18th, 2020. The South Island Alpine Fault Earthquake Response (SAFER) Framework provides a concept of coordination of response and priority setting across all six South Island Civil Defence Emergency Management (CDEM) Groups and their partner organisations in the first seven days of response. on Haast and spreading north to Ahaura. Overseas rescue and medical assistance will be required. The map below indicates the range of the earthquake and its shaking intensity (shown in Roman numerals). The alpine fault earthquake will alter tectonic stress distribution, and other faultlines may rupture in the days or years following it. The Clyde Dam has been built to very high specifications and it is unlikely it would suffer catastrophic damage. 1 December 2020–A rupture along the full length of the fast-slipping Alpine Fault on New Zealand’s South Island poses the largest potential seismic threat to the southern and central parts of the country.But new evidence of a 19 th century earthquake indicates that in at least one portion of the fault, smaller earthquakes may occur in between such large rupture events. Get all the information you need to get around Queenstown. The best paleoseismic evidence to date suggests the southern and central sections of the Alpine Fault, at the boundary separating the Australian and Pacific tectonic plates, typically rupture during very large full-section earthquakes of magnitude 7.7 or larger. Read more. Civil Defence Emergency Management Groups across the South Island are working together to plan a coordinated response to the next severe Alpine Fault earthquake. The Alpine Fault is sometimes compared with California’s San Andreas Fault, being another fast-moving strike slip fault near a plate boundary. 3.0 magnitude earthquake 2019-12-10 05:15:01 UTC at 05:15 December 10, 2019 UTC Location: Epicenter at 30.983, -103.621 45.2 km from Pecos (28.2 miles) Any actions you take now to be better prepared will make life easier for you and those who rely on you in the aftermath. The Alpine Fault is sometimes compared with California’s San Andreas Fault, being another fast-moving strike slip fault near a plate boundary. A new model has simulated the disruption a major Alpine Fault earthquake would have on the South Island's transport network - cutting off the West Coast for at least a week. Cessation of most commercial activity may occur in many parts of the South Island, however, many local economies will be maintained solely by recovery activities. A major problem constraining repair and rebuilding will be the shortage of trades people and materials. In areas where the magnitude is plus or minus 9, many tens of millions of cubic metres of rock and scree may collapse from slopes. In some places the force will result in a horizontal earth shift of up to 8 metres, and a vertical displacement of 4 metres. Analysis of sediments deposited by previous Alpine Fault earthquakes shows that the faultline ruptures on a remarkably regular basis, on average at intervals around 300 years. All communication systems including land and cell-phones may be down in many parts of West Otago. There will be liquefaction and widespread ground damage. In geology, a fault is a planar fracture or discontinuity in a volume of rock across which there has been significant displacement as a result of rock-mass movements. Presentation given in Christchurch in March 2015. The future of our beautiful region starts with protecting and caring for it today. The Wakatipu including Queenstown could become completely isolated if the airport is damaged. 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