Jul 14 2009 - June roundup

Last month's progress and news within the GeoNet project.

A technician putting the finishing touches to the Ahititi continuous GPS station.

A technician putting the finishing touches to the Ahititi continuous GPS station.

Operations

Five new installations (one seismic, one continuous GPS and three combined seismic/cGPS) were completed in the Wairoa/Gisborne area:

  • Rimuhau (RIGZ)
  • Ahititi (AHTI)
  • Shannon Station (SNGZ, SNST)
  • Rawiri (RAGZ, RAWI)
  • Waihua (WHHZ, WAHU)

Earthquakes

  • The most significant earthquake of the month occurred on June 27, magnitude 4.4, 10 km north-west of Turangi, 5 km deep. It was felt strongly in the Lake Taupo area.
  • The preliminary locations of May's earthquakes are shown below.

Landslide Response

On Monday June 29 a response was organised to assist the Waihi Village (Lake Taupo) residents and Taupo District Council determine whether or not earthquake swarm activity and recent rainfall had initiated or reactivated movement in the Hipaua Geothermal field.

Reported Landslides

Tuesday June 9

  • Heavy rain in Northland caused flooding and a number of slips. The road to Russell was down to one lane as a result of two slips.

Thursday June 11

  • Landslip caused partial blockage of SH 2 Waioeka Gorge about 15 km south of Waioeka Pa.

Sunday June 28

  • Slip blocked one lane of SH 11 between Kawakawa and Paihia, at Lemons Hill.
  • SH 5, Napier-Taupo Road, slip blocked one lane at Te Pohue.
  • SH 3, the Manawatu Gorge, blocked by a slip at the Ashhurst end (re-opened June 29).
  • SH 4, the Paraparas, between Wanganui and Raetihi, closed by 4 slips (still closed June 29).

Tuesday June 30

  • Slip breached the wall of a house at Lucknow Terrace, Napier Hill.
  • Thirty small slips reported on SH 2 between Wairoa and Napier.
  • Tuahu Road (off Tauwharepare Road), Gisborne region, closed by slips.
  • Whakarau Road, Gisborne region, closed by slips.
  • Tauwhareparae Road, Gisborne region, down to one lane at Doonholm slip.
  • Monck Road in the Waimata Valley, Gisborne region, impassable due to slips.
Felt earthquakes of May 2009.

Felt earthquakes of
May 2009.

Shallow earthquakes of May 2009.

Shallow earthquakes of
May 2009.

Deep earthquakes of May 2009.

Deep earthquakes of
May 2009.