Manawatu and Wanganui sinking, say scientists

The Manawatu and Wanganui regions are sinking, according to GNS Science.

At the plate boundary far below the earth's surface, the region is about 350mm lower than it was two years ago, Hugh Cowan, research manager at the Earthquake Commission said.

The slip at surface level is between 10mm and 30mm, he told nzherald.co.nz.

The land around Ashhurst, Wanganui and Dannevirke slipped very gradually between January 2004 and June 2005 as a result of "silent quakes", the Manawatu Standard reported.

It would require an earthquake of magnitude 7 to cause the slip in a few seconds, the scientists said.

Manawatu-Wanganui region emergency manager Mark Harrison said the slip reported in the latest Earthquake Commission newsletter Ru Whenua highlights the need to be prepared for an emergency.

"This is a timely reminder that we live in a very hazardous region of New Zealand," he said.

- NZPA, HERALD ONLINE STAFF