Mike Vincent leads an army of volunteers moving tonnes of Paua from earthquake-raised seabed back into the ocean
Canterbury University marine ecologist Dr Sharyn Goldstien has been on the ground investigating what the freshly raised coast at Kaikoura means for ocean ecosystems. She speaks with science reporter Jamie Morton.
What work are you doing on the ground?
I have been working with GNS scientists to measure the coastaluplift.
We have worked mostly around Waipapa Bay, Ward Beach and Ohau this weekend.
My role is to interpret the evidence left by the marine organisms in terms of what we used to know as tidal heights.
Have the observations you and colleagues have been making in the field changed our understanding of what happened?
For marine science, the uplift will raise many questions and will provide data about how such an event impacts the marine organisms.
Immediately, I hope the observations I have been able to make during the surveys will inform some of the conservation and management decisions that will now be the primary focus of recovery for many people who make a living from the coastal waters.
Can you describe some of the dramatic sights you've been seeing?
We have been walking in areas where you would normally require at least a snorkel and fins, if not a scuba set.
Rock lifted above sea level by the Kaikoura Earthquake. Photo / Supplied
The seaweeds that are adapted to have the blades supported by the water and would normally be seen upright with blades in motion with the surface water are now hanging from rocks and platforms, some brittle as they have dried out in the sun.
This sight is variable as the uplift is not uniform and all areas are not affected equally.
Some areas appear normal, or with minimal change to the tidal height.
How much work do you think yourself and other scientists have in front of you, and what are some of the big questions you're going to have to answer?
There is a lot of work to be done over many years.
Initially, understanding the impact on the fisheries and how to move forward will be a primary focus for many scientists.
Aerial photographs showing tectonic uplift of the seabed north of Kaikoura. Photo / Supplied
The geological implications to the Kaikoura Canyon and associated trough, as well as offshore extensions of the fault lines is, and will continue to keep scientists busy.
Kaikoura coast is a diverse region and the shift in the marine community will be closely followed by scientists to investigate the successive processes as new communities form.
In addition, this is a geological event that has the potential to affect the evolutionary trajectory of some populations of species, so is of interest to molecular ecologists and evolutionary biologists.
The near shore oceanography and sediment transport, beach formation, canyon dynamics, marine mammal and seabird responses to the event, river flow changes due to offset, and much more will all be big questions to be investigated over time.
What do you think are the most important things that Kiwis should know about what you're seeing?
The most important thing for me in the marine environment is that we respect the sea life that has given us so much.
Volunteers search for paua on the coastline raised by the Kaikoura Earthquake. Photo / File
Over the coming year, instead of heading to Kaikoura to fish for a feed in your scuba and snorkel gear, I would suggest heading to Kaikoura to observe and reflect.
The paua and crayfish and all marine organisms of the area will now be acclimatising to a very different world.
Just as we in Christchurch had to adjust to new road layouts, new living conditions and competition for our resources, the paua and the crayfish will also have these issues to sort through.
It is possible that many of the crayfish were offshore and may well have survived in high numbers.
However, upon return they will need to find new habitat to live in and their neighbours may be closer as their living space has been reduced.
Many people in Kaikoura work hard to care for, and to promote sustainable use of the environment, so it is time for us to assist them and be respectful of the animals while they recover.
Observing the world around you, still makes for a nice time away.
