March 28, 2023
Earthquake swarm unsettles Kawerau
Kawerau mayor Faylene Tunui wants more help from GNS Science and EQC to help residents understand the swarm of earthquakes afflicting the eastern Bay of Plenty town.
The Geonet monitoring system reported almost 1000 shakes since the latest swarm started on March 18, but said most were moderate to mild, and many would not have been noticeable to humans.
Ms Tunui says it has been unsettling for residents, especially with the noise that comes before a quake.
“It’s quite offensive for the people who call Kawerau home to read that it’s light, mild and unnoticeable. People are angry that (GeoNet) is automated, it feels very desktop. We need to have a conversation and put that into context in terms of the volume of earthquakes so I look forward to coming together with GNZS and GeoNet,” she says.
Ms Tunui says because of the closure of the Kawerau paper mill the risks have changed since the last major earthquake in 1987, and civil defence training and messaging need updating.