Bioshields Could Help Slow Tsunami Flow
Lead researcher and GNS Tsunami Scientist Jean Roger said the study findings are expected to help local governments, planners, environmental agencies and infrastructure managers make informed decisions about natural environment management and natural ... More >>
GNS-Led Voyage To Hunga Volcano Returns With New Insights Into 2022 Eruption
Monday, 24 June 2024, 10:53 am | GNS Science
Scientists are now much closer to understanding what triggered the most violent volcanic eruption in more than a hundred years thanks to the return of a successful month-long expedition to Hunga volcano (Tonga) led by GNS Science. More >>
Ancient Polar Sea Reptile Is The Oldest Ever Found In The Southern Hemisphere
Tuesday, 18 June 2024, 9:37 am | GNS Science
An Early Triassic Nothosaur fossil vertebra, from about 246 million years ago, discovered in New Zealand has upended long-standing hypotheses on how, when and from where nothosaurs and other early sea-going reptiles dispersed around the globe. More >>
New Guidance Encourages Planners Not To Let Landslide Risk Reduction Opportunities Slip By
Monday, 29 January 2024, 11:42 am | GNS Science
Today GNS Science has released new land-use planning guidance to manage and reduce the risks of landslides. The Landslide Planning Guidance: Reducing Landslide Risk through Land-Use Planning strongly encourages landslide risk to be considered early ... More >>
GNS Science Is Expecting Many Thousands Of Landslides Because Of Cyclone Gabrielle
Wednesday, 15 February 2023, 1:37 pm | GNS Science
Landslides are a national hazard, responsible for taking lives and costing New Zealand around $300M a year. GNS Science provides some advice to New Zealanders about how they can stay safe during extreme weather events, and how they can help. ... More >>
Revised Earthquake Hazard Model Helps Aotearoa New Zealand Increase Resilience
Tuesday, 4 October 2022, 6:25 am | GNS Science
Aotearoa New Zealand's updated National Seismic Hazard Model estimates the likelihood of future earthquake shaking hazard to have increased throughout most of the country, ranging from almost no change to more than doubling in some areas. On average, results ... More >>
New Zealand Partnership Increases Geothermal Presence In Japan
Thursday, 21 April 2022, 3:48 pm | GNS Science
GNS Science and Geo40 have today announced a geothermal coalition which will see them establish a physical presence in Tokyo. The move to open an office in Japan demonstrates the strength of New Zealand's expertise in the geothermal space, and ... More >>
DART Network Proves Invaluable In Assessing Tsunami Threat Following The Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha'apai Eruption
Tuesday, 18 January 2022, 5:34 pm | GNS Science
Aotearoa New Zealand's network of DART buoys proved vital over the weekend as tsunami experts raced to analyse the tsunami threat to our coastlines following a large, explosive eruption at Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha'apai volcano in Tonga. DART (Deep-ocean ... More >>
GNS Science Conduct Trench Work On Rauoterangi Fault
Tuesday, 25 May 2021, 12:01 pm | GNS Science
GNS Science has conducted a geotechnical study on the Rauoterangi Fault in Feilding in the hope to carbon date the fault line and analyse the risk it poses. The study has been fully funded by the Earthquake Commission Kōmihana Rūwhenua (EQC), with ... More >>
Ground-breaking Climate Change Collaboration Awarded PM's Science Prize
Tuesday, 30 June 2020, 4:42 pm | GNS Science
Dr Richard Levy and Dr Nancy Bertler at the Ice Core Facility, GNS Science GNS Science is proud to be part of the Melting Ice & Rising Seas Team that has been awarded the Prime Minister's Science Prize. The project is a ground-breaking ... More >>
Revised Hazard Posters For Mt Ruapehu 2020
Friday, 12 June 2020, 11:52 am | GNS Science
Ruapehu is an incredible winter playground, and as mountain users prepare for the 2020 season a revised set of hazard posters will help them know how to keep themselves safe on the volcano. The key message remains the same: Ruapehu is an active ... More >>
Government's Support For Science Sector Crucial For NZ's Recovery – GNS Science
Wednesday, 3 June 2020, 2:23 pm | GNS Science
Science and innovation will play a crucial role in New Zealand's recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, and GNS Science welcomes today's announcement of additional support for the sector. Research, Science and Innovation Minister Dr Megan Woods ... More >>
International Recognition For GNS Science's Research Output
Tuesday, 5 May 2020, 2:48 pm | GNS Science
Cutting edge research and high-impact partnerships have cemented GNS Science's position as a thought leader in earth and environmental sciences, recognised in the annual Nature Index . In the 2020 Index , published this month, GNS Science is ranked ... More >>
GNS Science Continues To Monitor NZ's Geological Hazards During COVID-19 Crisis
Monday, 23 March 2020, 12:27 pm | GNS Science
New Zealand's four geohazard perils – earthquake, volcano, landslide and tsunami – are still being continuously monitored despite the COVID-19 pandemic, GNS Science says. GNS Science is taking a precautionary approach to protect the health of its ... More >>
Moving Mountains On The Ocean Floor May Hold Key To East Coast Earthquakes
Wednesday, 4 March 2020, 1:14 pm | GNS Science
Earthquakes and slow slip events may be influenced by mountains on the ocean floor, or 'seamounts', according to new research co-authored by GNS Science. A paper published today in Nature Geoscience magazine found that seamounts can have ... More >>
Shallow magma driving volcanic activity at Whakaari
Friday, 13 December 2019, 1:37 pm | GNS Science
Volcano monitoring data from Whakaari/White Island indicates a shallow body of magma is present and eruption risk continues, GNS Science experts say. Since Monday's tragic events there has been no further eruptive activity at Whakaari/White Island. ... More >>
GNS Science maps show risk levels at White Island still high
Thursday, 12 December 2019, 5:02 pm | GNS Science
Risk assessment maps released by GNS Science (dated 02 and 12 December 2019) show the crater floor of Whakaari/White Island is still a high-risk area, with a further eruption looking increasingly likely. The maps were released at a National Emergency ... More >>
Risk of Whakaari/White Island eruption remains high
Thursday, 12 December 2019, 11:17 am | GNS Science
The risk of further eruptions at Whakaari/White Island is unchanged and remains high, GNS Science experts say. More >>
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Gabrielle's Intense Rainfall Made Landslides Inevitable
Cyclone Gabrielle was one of the most extreme landslide-triggering events ever recorded globally. It is estimated that more than 800,000 landslides were caused by the extreme weather event, cumulatively covering an area of around 100 square kilometres – about the same size as the city of Napier. A thorough analysis of the Cyclone Gabrielle landslides led by Earth Sciences New Zealand, reveals that the ground was so saturated by the amount of rainfall, it didn't matter how wet ground conditions were beforehand – landslides were going to happen. Study lead author, Earth Sciences New Zealand engineering geologist Chris Massey (formerly GNS Science), explains that a major factor influencing landslide triggering is how much moisture is already in the soil compared to the amount it can absorb before reaching a critical point and failing. "In the case of Cyclone Gabrielle, the intense rainfall over a short period overwhelmed the natural drainage systems, and many of the affected slopes were inevitably pushed past their tipping point regardless of the pre-existing soil moisture conditions," Dr Massey says. Dr Trevor Carey-Smith, climate scientist at Earth Sciences New Zealand (formerly NIWA), was a co-author on the study, contributing rainfall data and analysis. 'The quantity of rainfall in many locations was unprecedented; inland from Esk Valley 500 mm fell in 24 hours – over 50% higher than the previous record. Rainfall is typically one of the more important factors influencing likelihood of landslides, so the huge quantity of water that fell over a short period of time meant we weren't surprised that landslides occurred during the event – however the sheer number triggered was astonishing,' Dr Carey-Smith says. 'We already know from attribution studies that climate change contributed to the intensity of rainfall during Cyclone Gabrielle and that this is likely to increase further in future.' The study, published in Landslides Journal, found that, aside from rainfall, the most significant factors influencing landslide locations were geology type, vegetation type and, of course, the steepness of the slope. Dr Massey says areas covered in scrub and grassland were much more prone to landslides than those with forest. 'In regions like Tairāwhiti-Gisborne and Hawke's Bay the density of small and shallow landslides occurring in areas with scrub and grassland was extremely high – up to 327 landslides per square kilometre. Such landslide densities are typically much higher than those associated with rainstorms overseas,' Dr Massey says. 'Interestingly, indigenous forests offered better protection than exotic forests.' Dr Massey notes that places where vegetation had been lost in recent years (3-5 years preceding Cyclone Gabrielle) were more likely to experience landslides. 'This finding demonstrates a clear link between deforestation and increased landslide triggering. We hope this research can support informed decisions about land use in the future to help mitigate these disruptive events. 'And with climate change increasing the frequency and intensity of cyclones, there has never been a more pressing time to use science to adapt to our changing conditions and support people, industry and government to be more resilient.' Contributing author, Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha | University of Canterbury Senior Lecturer in Disaster Risk and Resilience Dr Tom Robinson, led a group of students who mapped most of the landslide data over a nine-month period for the study. "As far as we are aware, this is the largest number of landslides ever mapped for a single storm, certainly in New Zealand, and provides a valuable source of information for future landslide modelling,' Dr Robinson says. 'This research has given UC students a unique opportunity to be part of core research that will better inform our understanding of landslides during major storms and how the community can adapt to our changing climate conditions." The study was funded by New Zealand's Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment's Extreme Weather Strategic Science Investment Fund, and the Sliding Lands Endeavour Programme.
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Gabrielle's Intense Rainfall Made Landslides Inevitable
Press Release – Earth Sciences New Zealand A thorough analysis of the Cyclone Gabrielle landslides led by Earth Sciences New Zealand, reveals that the ground was so saturated by the amount of rainfall, it didnt matter how wet ground conditions were beforehand landslides were going to happen. Cyclone Gabrielle was one of the most extreme landslide-triggering events ever recorded globally. It is estimated that more than 800,000 landslides were caused by the extreme weather event, cumulatively covering an area of around 100 square kilometres – about the same size as the city of Napier. A thorough analysis of the Cyclone Gabrielle landslides led by Earth Sciences New Zealand, reveals that the ground was so saturated by the amount of rainfall, it didn't matter how wet ground conditions were beforehand – landslides were going to happen. Study lead author, Earth Sciences New Zealand engineering geologist Chris Massey (formerly GNS Science), explains that a major factor influencing landslide triggering is how much moisture is already in the soil compared to the amount it can absorb before reaching a critical point and failing. 'In the case of Cyclone Gabrielle, the intense rainfall over a short period overwhelmed the natural drainage systems, and many of the affected slopes were inevitably pushed past their tipping point regardless of the pre-existing soil moisture conditions,' Dr Massey says. Dr Trevor Carey-Smith, climate scientist at Earth Sciences New Zealand (formerly NIWA), was a co-author on the study, contributing rainfall data and analysis. 'The quantity of rainfall in many locations was unprecedented; inland from Esk Valley 500 mm fell in 24 hours – over 50% higher than the previous record. Rainfall is typically one of the more important factors influencing likelihood of landslides, so the huge quantity of water that fell over a short period of time meant we weren't surprised that landslides occurred during the event – however the sheer number triggered was astonishing,' Dr Carey-Smith says. 'We already know from attribution studies that climate change contributed to the intensity of rainfall during Cyclone Gabrielle and that this is likely to increase further in future.' The study, published in Landslides Journal, found that, aside from rainfall, the most significant factors influencing landslide locations were geology type, vegetation type and, of course, the steepness of the slope. Dr Massey says areas covered in scrub and grassland were much more prone to landslides than those with forest. 'In regions like Tairāwhiti-Gisborne and Hawke's Bay the density of small and shallow landslides occurring in areas with scrub and grassland was extremely high – up to 327 landslides per square kilometre. Such landslide densities are typically much higher than those associated with rainstorms overseas,' Dr Massey says. 'Interestingly, indigenous forests offered better protection than exotic forests.' Dr Massey notes that places where vegetation had been lost in recent years (3-5 years preceding Cyclone Gabrielle) were more likely to experience landslides. 'This finding demonstrates a clear link between deforestation and increased landslide triggering. We hope this research can support informed decisions about land use in the future to help mitigate these disruptive events. 'And with climate change increasing the frequency and intensity of cyclones, there has never been a more pressing time to use science to adapt to our changing conditions and support people, industry and government to be more resilient.' Contributing author, Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha | University of Canterbury Senior Lecturer in Disaster Risk and Resilience Dr Tom Robinson, led a group of students who mapped most of the landslide data over a nine-month period for the study. 'As far as we are aware, this is the largest number of landslides ever mapped for a single storm, certainly in New Zealand, and provides a valuable source of information for future landslide modelling,' Dr Robinson says. 'This research has given UC students a unique opportunity to be part of core research that will better inform our understanding of landslides during major storms and how the community can adapt to our changing climate conditions.' The study was funded by New Zealand's Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment's Extreme Weather Strategic Science Investment Fund, and the Sliding Lands Endeavour Programme.
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Cutting-Edge Healthcare Technology To Showcase In Heart Of South Auckland
NZ's medical technology innovation hub, Medtech-iQ Aotearoa holding showcase in heart of South Auckland. New Zealand's medical technology innovation hub, Medtech-iQ Aotearoa will hold an inaugural showcase in the heart of South Auckland this month. MedTech Explorer will be an interactive showcase of MedTech innovations - from life-saving medical devices and AI-powered diagnostics, to wearable health tech and digital solutions shaping the future of healthcare. The event will bring researchers, innovators and experts together with cutting-edge healthcare technology alongside South Auckland communities. Open to the public with free admission, the event will be held at the Fale in Māngere on 28 August. University of Auckland's Strategic Partnership Lead of Auckland Bioengineering Institute Dr Diana Siew, co-leads the national Te Titoki Mataora | Medtech Research Translator programme, the foundation of Medtech-iQ Aotearoa. She also chairs the national stewardship group of Medtech-iQ Aotearoa. Her vision is to develop capability in NZ to create new medical technologies with a focus on health and equity. She aims for the Fale showcase to inspire young Pacific people and entrepreneurs to participate in the sector, highlighting opportunities for high-value jobs, supporting Pacific community health and encouraging the start of their own tech businesses. "It's important to meet the Pacific community in the heart of their neighbourhood. This is a such a wonderful opportunity to introduce Pacific youth to the wonders of the latest technology meeting the urgent demands of the health sector. 'This event offers the community a unique look up-close, to not only learn the latest techniques and equipment available, but also to showcase to our young people possible career pathways about making a real difference to the lives of whānau and friends in their communities." Moana Connect, a Pacific-led organisation based in Mangere, South Auckland is one of several partners delivering the inaugural showcase. Dr Amio Matenga-Ikihele a general manager at Moana Connect, co-leads the Pacific module within Te Titoki Mataora | Medtech Research. She's also an Honorary Lecturer in Pacific Health with the University's Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences. "We're excited to welcome our Pacific communities to this inaugural MedTech showcase. This event is about connection - bringing together Pacific communities, health providers, clinicians and innovators to experience first-hand the innovations shaping medical technology. 'We're also delighted students from local high schools will be attending, as it's a chance to inspire them with potential career pathways in medical technology and to highlight the many possibilities this field offers.' Soteria Ieremia is also a co-lead Pacific for Te Titoki Mataora | Medtech Research, and a sponsor and collaborator with her roles in Pacific-i and Pūtahi Manawa. She says the event was a powerful initiative for the community and the showcase will leave a lasting impression on Pacific youth. "This is a great opportunity to meet the Pacific community where they are and introduce our Pacific youth to the many possibilities of where technology meets health. 'Our Pacific people are natural innovators, their ability to navigate the Moana with technology over the past millennia is evidence of this."
