Landslide computer modelling helps earthquake first responders

Just hours after the 7.8 magnitude Kaikoura earthquake hit New Zealand in 2016 research by Dr Tom Robinson , Department of Geography , was helping to inform the work of first responders in the area. At the time of the earthquake Dr Robinson was collaborating with colleagues from the universities of Canterbury and Otago in New Zealand, to test a computer modelling approach to predict earthquake-related landslides. When the earthquake struck, the team were able to use their modelling approach to generate information about where significant landslides might have blocked roads and rivers and share this information with first responders in New Zealand. The findings of their modelling approach are published in the Bulletin of the Seismological Society of America. Informing emergency response Dr Robinson said: "The Kaikoura earthquake offered a serendipitous opportunity for us to test the capabilities of our modelling approach and provide valuable information to emergency responders. "We were able to model landslide locations and run-outs, which is the maximum distance landslide debris travels, within 24 hours of the earthquake. We also produced a second refined model 72 hours after the event." The modelling predicted that land-sliding would be widespread and could impact major roads as well as numerous rivers.