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Auckland sits near an active faultline, new research suggests, so what next for New Zealand’s biggest city?
The city is exempted from earthquake building rules due to its northerly location, but a study of the Mangatangi Fault has thrown that into question
TL;DR
- A fault line south of Auckland, the Mangatangi Fault, has been identified as active and capable of triggering a 6.8 magnitude earthquake.
- This research challenges Auckland's long-held belief of being largely immune to intense seismic activity.
- The discovery raises questions about the recent decision to exempt Auckland from earthquake building regulations.
- The Mangatangi Fault has ruptured within the last 10,000 years, meeting the criteria for an active fault.
- Geologists emphasize the need for more research into Auckland's fault lines to accurately assess seismic risk and inform building regulations.
- Mayor Wayne Brown has dismissed the research as 'nonsense', citing different geology in the city.
- The minister for building and construction stated that emerging research will be considered but a single study does not warrant immediate regulatory change.