Bell Block won’t be wallowing in sand and silt if a big earthquake hits Bell Block. A recent study by GNS Sciences has shown there is little chance of liquefaction in most of Taranaki. Widespread problems caused by liquefaction after the Christchurch earthquake prompted Taranaki’s three district councils and the regional council, along with Powerco and Transpower to band together to commission the study of liquefaction hazards in the area. GNS found that most of Taranaki’s geology was too old or the wrong type to be affected by liquefaction but several sites had been identified as being at risk. The report also said the type of earthquake that would shake hard enough to cause liquefaction at the port could be expected every 120 years, and more serious earthquakes every 980 to 1070 years. Other spots around Taranaki that have been found to have some possible risk of liquefaction include Waitara, as well as the lower reaches of the Onaero, Urenui, Mimi, Tongaporutu, Rapanui and Mohakatino rivers in the New Plymouth district, and the ends of the Waitotara, Whenuakura and Patea rivers in South Taranaki. Soil testing is being done in these places to double-check the hazard risk.
