The scientific response to the 14 November 2016 Kaikoura tsunami - Lessons-learnt from a moderate event

The November 14, 2016 Kaikoura earthquake in Aoteama-New Zealand involved the rupture of 21 faults across North Canterbury, Marlborough, some of which extended offshore. The earthquake triggered a cascade of hazards including a localised 7 m tsunami. The Aotearoa-New Zealand tsunami research community sprang into action, providing advice around immediate tsunami risk and then collaborated to strategically investigate various aspects of the tsunami. Much of the Kaikoura Region was inaccessible for months after the event due to major damage to road networks, bridges, rail, and port. A coordinated effort across institutions and disciplines was needed to achieve the desired scientific goals while respecting the priorities of emergency services and affected communities as well as minimising the demands of a scientific response on these groups. Although this moderate-sized tsunami caused little damage, the event occurred in a region vulnerable to future tsunamis and therefore presents valuable lessons. The authors of this paper were personally involved in the science response and they present the successes and valuable lessons experienced by the tsunami research community in Aoteama-New Zealand and compare these with guidelines for international post-tsunami field surveys for larger events.