Christchurch quake expert to speak in Taranaki

A Christchurch-based geologist and tectonics expert will address a public meeting in New Plymouth in March focusing on the cause and consequences of the Canterbury earthquakes.

He is Professor Jarg Pettinga, head of the Geological Sciences Department at the University of Canterbury. Prof Pettinga established and has led the Canterbury Active Tectonics and Earthquake Hazards Research Group for the past two decades.

His visit has been arranged by the Taranaki Geological Society, with assistance from the Taranaki Civil Defence Emergency Management Group, and he will speak at the New Plymouth District Council chambers at 7.30pm on Monday 28 March.

“We’re anticipating huge interest in Prof Pettinga’s presentation,” says the Taranaki Civil Defence Controller, David Lean. “He has built up a vast knowledge of earthquake-related hazards in New Zealand, and his talk will be profoundly interesting.

“The initial expectation and invitation was for him to talk about the September earthquake, but obviously he will now also be discussing the latest one.”

Prof Pettinga has indicated since last Tuesday’s earthquake that he still expects to be able to come to Taranaki.