Southampton scientists along with colleagues in New Zealand have used a sophisticated optical mapping technique to identify and accurately measure changes in coastal morphology following a catastrophic series of landslides. “Our findings are important for assessing geological hazards and reducing the dangers to human settlements,” said geophysicist Professor Jon Bull of the University of Southampton’s School of Ocean and Earth Science based at the National Oceanography Centre, Southampton, Matata is a small coastal town located on the Bay of Plenty at the northern end of New Zealand’s North Island close to a highly active volcanic zone. On 18 May 2005, the town was inundated by devastating debris flows. These flows resulted from torrential rain that triggered widespread landslips in the catchments of the Awatarariki and Waitepuru streams in the steeply rising hills behind the town. Read More
