By Zane Small
Scientists are preparing for the rupture of New Zealand's largest fault, which is expected to breach at some point in the future.
Five Civil Defence Emergency Management (CDEM) groups from across the North Island are working together to develop an emergency response plan.
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The project was launched in response to research over several years which suggests the rupture of the Hikurangi subduction zone is more likely than initially thought.
New Zealand Geoscience Society (GNS) scientist Dr Laura Wallace says it's due to a combination of factors, including new insights gained from the 2016 Kaikōura earthquakes and geological evidence for prehistoric quakes on the subduction zone.
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These subduction zone faults have been responsible for most of the world's deadliest earthquakes and tsunamis to date, according to GNS, with Japan 2011 being the most recent example.
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