Kia ora koutou,
NZSEE’s Learning from Earthquakes (LfE) group has prepared a Virtual Earthquake Reconnaissance Team (VERT) report investigating the earthquake that struck Kumamoto on 28th July 2026.
This preliminary report is a first look at the unfolding impacts, and was prepared within a few days using open-source information (social media, satellite imagery, and geolocation of damage). As previously, we welcome any feedback on the usefulness and format of this report, so we can improve future reconnaissance efforts.
The VERT website: https://www.seismicshift.nz/kumamoto-2026-public/
We would like to acknowledge the voluntary contributions of Ananth Balachandra, Ben Exton, Chin Long Lee, Di Du, Dinesh Lakshmanan Chandramohan, Jitendra Bothara, Vishvendra (Jay) Bhanu, Ke Jiang, Ken Yonamine, Kieran Haymes, Maja Sagaser, Melody Hong, Nikoo Hazaveh, Pathmanathan Brabhaharan, Paulo Alves, Sean Han and Subrat Subedi.
As this is an evolving event, we anticipate further updates and welcome continued engagement and contributions from the wider NZSEE membership to support ongoing learning.
LFE Committee
