New Zealand research reveals hidden stress barriers in subduction zone that reduce worst-case earthquake and tsunami risks.

New research on New Zealand's Hikurangi-Kermadec subduction zone reveals "hidden stress barriers" that act like brakes, preventing faults from slipping all at once. These barriers could reduce the chances of the worst-imaginable earthquakes and tsunamis in the region, and improve earthquake models with real-world data. The new models have increased understanding of future earthquakes and tsunami risks, helping prepare for the next major earthquake and tsunami event.