But a top GNS Science natural hazards expert says there's no indication that the November 14 quake would prove a trigger for "the big one". Further, they said stress changes caused by the quake warned that faults in the southern part of the North Island, near Wellington, may be "closer to failure than the past". But GNS Science principal scientist Kelvin Berryman said investigations had so far indicated the Kaikoura quake was unlikely to have loaded pressure on the Alpine Fault, and instead had applied pressure north-eastward toward the Cook Strait. GNS Science staff remain investigating the mechanics of the Kaikoura quake, and a team of geologists were still conducting field research in Marlborough this month. The authors believed the deep earthquakes beneath Taranaki were being triggered as the dense mantle layer peels off, and sank into the hotter and less dense regions below.

Source: New Zealand Herald February 01, 2017 02:17 UTC