Editorial: Disasterphiles of the Shaky Isles

A Ure Valley, Marlborough, home destroyed in the 2016 Kaikoura earthquake. Photo / file

Are we disaster-prone or disaster-addicted?

This country sits on the edge of the large tectonic plate called "Pacific", a name ridiculously inappropriate because if it buckles it will be anything but "peaceful".

Chances are good that we could have a really, really large earthquake at some vague point in the future.

We know this because scientists keep banging on about it, telling us we should be prepared for the worst. They've produced CGI videos of possible consequences, but they're not the only ones preaching catastrophe.

We also have central government, local government and regulatory junkies telling us here in Whanganui that all our heritage buildings are doomed unless we spend millions of dollars bringing them up to some arbitrary standard; all of which is wasted if we get that really, really big earthquake the boffins have been warning us about.

So how does one prepare for a quake that could flatten a city?

Civil Defence guidelines suggest making a plan to survive the earthquake and its consequences, like a tsunami. In practice, one will negate all you've done to survive the other. Stocking up on food and water is a waste of time if you have to leave it behind to escape an incoming wall of ocean.

Of course, because we love the thrill of disasters, if Civil Defence puts out a tsunami warning you can be sure the beaches will be packed with sightseers.

New Zealand is also on the "ring of fire" that encircles the Pacific Ocean, so if an earthquake or an ensuing tsunami doesn't get us, an erupting volcano might.

Again, scientists take great delight in creating computerised videos depicting noxious gases, lava flows and ash falls — all the things that could kill us if we somehow survive the earthquake, tsunami and lawlessness which follows.

And then there's the asteroid collision ...

So, will these things happen? Or do we relish the thought that they might?
Disaster-prone or hopeful thrill-seekers?