Scientists have recently made a remarkable discovery – a massive reservoir lying just a few kilometres beneath the seafloor off the coast of the North Island. The Hikurangi Subduction Zone is where the Pacific tectonic plate dives underneath the Australian tectonic plate, resulting in a buildup of energy. Understanding the makeup of the Earth’s crust is crucial for understanding how tectonic energy is released. However, along the Hikurangi Subduction Zone, a wide variety of earthquakes are observed, indicating the influence of fluids on the plate boundary. The findings of this study have implications beyond the Hikurangi Subduction Zone.

Source: New Zealand Herald October 08, 2023 05:39 UTC