International scientists are intrigued at the complexity of the suspected twin quakes that rattled New Zealand early on Monday. The area where the quakes appeared, near the boundary of the Pacific and Australian tectonic plates, contained numerous faults with a wide range of orientations, Prof Furlong noted. ``The main rupture and aftershocks may exploit this complicated tectonic zone resulting in a range of earthquake mechanisms for the aftershocks and in comparison to the main earthquake.'' Dr Mark Quigley, formerly based at Canterbury University and now at the University of Melbourne, also commented on the quakes' dynamic characteristics. Large aftershocks were continuing, with the latest, a magnitude 6.8 quake, generating yet another tsunami information statement from the warning centres.

Source: Otago Daily Times November 14, 2016 05:03 UTC