Repeated giant earthquakes on the Wairarapa fault, New Zealand, revealed by Lidar-based paleoseismology.

The Mw 7.8 2016 Kaikoura earthquake ruptured the Kekerengu-Needle fault resulting in the loading of its eastern continuation, the Wairarapa fault. Since the most recent earthquake on Wairarapa occurred in 1855 and is one of the strongest continental earthquakes ever observed, it is critical to assess the seismic potential of the Wairarapa fault, which might be prone to break. Using Lidar data, we examine its bare-earth morphology and reveal ~650 mostly undiscovered offset geomorphic markers. Using a code we developed in earlier work, we automatically measure the lateral and vertical offsets of these markers providing more than 7000 well constrained measurements. The data document the lateral and vertical slip profiles of the 1855 earthquake for the first time and show its total slip reached ~20 m at surface. Modeling the entire offset dataset reveals 7 prior earthquakes ruptured the entire fault, each similarly producing 16.9 ± 1.4 m dextral slip and ~0.6 m vertical slip at surface in the same central bend zone of the fault. Thus, the Wairarapa fault repeatedly produced giant earthquakes and is likely able to produce a similarly strong forthcoming event. The extreme large size of the Wairarapa earthquakes questions our understanding of earthquake physics.

Laparoscopic extraction of an intrahepatic foreign body after transduodenal migration in a child.

We report on a 3-year-old boy who, after ingestion of turpentine, had an x-ray and was incidentally diagnosed with an intrahepatic needle. He was asymptomatic with no history of needle ingestion. Imaging (ultrasound and computed tomographic scans) showed a needle in segment 1, close to the inferior vena cava, with a proximal end in contact with the superior angle of the duodenum. Because of the localization of the needle and subsequent risks of complications, removal was proposed. Laparoscopy showed dense adhesions between liver and duodenum, confirming the migration route. Laparoscopic extraction of an entire sewing needle was performed. Postoperative course was uneventful; the child was discharged home after 2 days and is alive and well 19 months after surgery. Laparoscopy may be useful in children for extraction of intrahepatic foreign bodies, after transduodenal migration.