Five years after the 14 November 2016 Kaikōura Tsunami in Aotearoa-New Zealand: insights from recent research

Abstract

The complexity of the Kaikōura earthquake rupture and tsunami generation presented a unique opportunity to examine and learn from a modern event. This paper reviews how the five years of research following the Kaikōura tsunami have improved our understanding of the event and our knowledge of tsunami science across a range of disciplines. Teams of researchers and practitioners across disciplines of tsunami hazard modelling, palaeotsunami, risk and impact science, early warning, and emergency management learned from the event to calibrate models, enhance proxies for interpreting palaeotsunami deposits, and improve disaster risk readiness, reduction and response measures. While new scientific knowledge has been developed about the co-seismic hazard and risk facing Aotearoa-New Zealand, fundamental questions nonetheless remain about tsunami-generating sources and the likely return period for high impact events in Aotearoa-New Zealand. Further scientific endeavour is needed to investigate the onshore and offshore geological records to help improve understanding of tsunami hazard and history to underpin risk and impact assessments informing more effective disaster risk management. Lessons also emphasise a need for more effective partnership, participation, education, and engagement to increase local community capacity and capability to respond to local source tsunami events.