In Aotearoa New Zealand, the Pacific and Australian tectonic plates meet beneath the North Island, leading to slow slip events (SSEs) — gradual, silent earthquakes that release stress over weeks to months. These SSEs are part of the normal behaviour of our subduction zone, occurring at predictable intervals. While undetectable by humans, they are monitored using advanced GPS technology and marine sensors. Understanding SSEs is crucial, as they can influence the likelihood of larger, more destructive earthquakes and tsunamis in the region.
