Philip Girgis is testing how soil reacts to vibrations to predict future earthquake shaking. Photo / Supplied
A student is using Hawke's Bay soil to find out what future earthquakes might be like.
Philip Girgis, a University of Auckland student, has begun measuring small vibrations in soil from human and natural activity to help find out more about earthquake shaking.
This is done by simply placing a
seismometer on the ground or in a shallow hole and recording vibrations for half an hour.
Dr Liam Wotherspoon from the University of Auckland said the testing was being done at a number of locations around Hastings, Napier, and the wider Hawke's Bay region.
"This method will enable us to better understand the overall stiffness and depth of the soil profile above rock at these locations to help inform our research," he said.
