Major earthquake risk low but potential for `big one` not counted out
(WorldNews New Zealand)

The risk of an large destructive earthquake, equal in magnitude to Kaikoura in 2016, occurring in Taranaki is always present, a seismic expert says. Up to 223 earthquakes between magnitude 4-5 were recorded in the region between July 2016 and June 2017, a Geological and Nuclear Sciences seismicity and ground deformation report presented to the Taranaki Regional Council showed. The high number, about one per cent of all earthquakes recorded in New Zealand in the last 12 months, was similar to the number of small earthquakes recorded in the region annually since 1994, report co-author GNS volcanologist Dr Brad Scott said. The largest was magnitude a 5.1 earthquake on November 7,...