Covid cancellations keep scientists away from Kermadec Islands
Four Otago students were meant to be on a boat offshore of the Kermadec Islands on the morning of March 5. This would have placed them near the epicentre of the M7.4 and M8.1 quakes that triggered Tsunami warnings in the North Island.
In a weird twist of fate, a last-minute Covid induced cancellation prevented the HMNZS Canterbury from setting sail to the Kermadec Islands with the 2021 BLAKE expedition. Lucy Davidson was one of the students meant to be on board the ship.
“I was totally gutted when I found out that the trip was cancelled,” said Lucy, “but thank goodness we weren’t there.”