7 Dec 2016

Kaikoura quake "more complex" than first thought

From Morning Report, 7:25 am on 7 December 2016
Adrian Benson inspects a land slump.

Adrian Benson inspects a land slump. Photo: RNZ / Tracy Neal

Scientists say they have evidence last month's magnitude 7.8 Kaikoura earthquake was more complex than first thought.

They say while it first seemed seven faultlines had ruptured, it is now clear nine faultlines were involved.

That puts it at a level of complexity seen in the 1855 Wairarapa earthquake and the catastrophic 1906 San Francisco earthquake.