Earthquake risks
Sir,—The statement by Mr L. Falck (September 7) that Christchurch buildings could “go down the plughole, because that’s what happens with liquefaction” may be an attempt at sensationalism. Buildings will not sink out of sight. Likewise with the statement that “an Antarctic icequake could send a tsunami washing over Stewart Island in the quite' ‘horrific scenario’ of three-quarters of the polar iceshield breaking' off.” Readers should be reassured that there is no chance of this happening. When the enormous B-9 iceberg broke away from the floating Ross Ice Shelf in 1987 — a block of ice as large as Canterbury — no tsunami was recorded as seven-eighths of the ice was already underwater. Scientists regard the polar ice-cap as Stable, and estimate that a minimum of 500 years would- be required for it to melt completely.—Yours, etc.,
MARGARET A. BRADSHAW, Curator of Geology, Canterbury Museum. September 9, 1988.
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Press, 12 September 1988, Page 16
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148Earthquake risks Press, 12 September 1988, Page 16
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