Sep 11 2009 - August roundup

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

Operations

The newly-completed Ongahoro GPS station near Rotorua.

The National Network site at McQueens Valley (MQZ, near Christchurch) received a full equipment upgrade. This was the last of the four "proof of concept" sites established in October 1998 to be renewed.
A new seismic borehole site was established at Herne Bay (HBAZ), Auckland. Boreholes get the seismometers away from surface noise caused by urban activities.
Three continuous GPS stations were installed at Paparatu (PRTU, near Gisborne), Opotiki (OPTK) and Ongahoro (RGON, near Rotorua).

The most significant earthquake of the month occurred on August 5, magnitude 5.9, 120 km west of Te Anau, 5 km deep. It was another aftershock of the July 15 magnitude 7.8 Dusky Sound earthquake, and was felt throughout the lower South Island.
The preliminary locations of July's earthquakes are shown below. The shallow and deep seismicity maps do not include earthquakes occurring on July 15 and 16, as these are still being analysed as part of the Dusky Sound aftershock sequence.

SH 36/Pyes Pa Road blocked by a major rockfall at 8 am. Two cars struck by rocks and passengers injured.

Rockfall blocking SH 6 near Makaroro above Lake Wanaka was brought down by rain.

Landslide blocking railway between Pukerua Bay and Plimmerton.
Minor slips reported on SH 2, the Rimutaka Hill. Slip at Kaitoke Gardens blocking one lane.
Rockfall on SH 58, Haywards Hill, near intersection with SH 2 - large rock on the road.
Slip of mud and trees reported to be blocking the road to Te Anga, Waitomo District, near the intersection with Ngatapuwae Road.
Slip on SH 3, Mangamahoe (between Inglewood and New Plymouth). Southbound lane blocked.

Felt earthquakes of
July 2009.

Shallow earthquakes of
July 2009 (to date).

Deep earthquakes of
July 2009 (to date).