There has been a lot of ongoing scientific work recenlty to assess Christchurch’s future geological risks. In our latest video Vaughan Stagpoole explains the esoteric arts of Geophysics and what the surveys can help us to find out.
Christchurch Geophysical Surveys Read More »
Ever since 1855, when New Zealand’s largest ever recorded earthquake (magnitude 8.1) shook the Wellington Region, a lot of effort has gone into understanding the earthquake risk in and around New Zealand’s capital city. There are several large fault lines in the area, including the Wellington Fault. This is the most active fault of the
Wellington’s Stuck Plate Boundary Read More »
In this video Garth Archibald explains the use of a laser to monitor rockfall hazards in built up areas around Christchurch City: In the second video, Chris Massey analyses rock fall trajectories in the Port Hills to calculate future risks to housing:
Videos of Christchurch Rockfall Research Read More »
There are a number of urgent scientific studies being carried out around Christchurch to help inform decision makers involved in the repair and recovery process following the recent earthquakes. These projects are being co-ordinated under the Natural Hazards Research Platform which is a collaboration of many of New Zealand’s research institutions (universities and Crown Research
Canterbury Gravity Survey Read More »
Today I have been in the Port Hills of Christchurch with Chris Massey, an engineering geologist in the GNS Science Active Landscapes team. Chris is part of a team undertaking a detailed study of the rockfalls that have been triggered in and around Christchurch as a result of the recent earthquakes. The aim of his
Rockfall impacts from the Christchurch ‘Quake Read More »
This week I have been with Garth Archibald, surveying areas in Christchurch that have been affected by rockfalls and slips. These surveys provide data which is used to calculate the stability of cliffs and slopes, and this provides useful information to planners and geotechnical engineers. At Redcliffs, Garth set up his laser scanner to make
Rockfalls and slips in Christchurch Read More »
I asked Kevin Fenaughty, the GeoNet data centre manager at GNS Science, to explain something about the different types of seismic waves affecting Christchurch during the present aftershocks:
Earthquake shock waves explained Read More »
If you are in Christchurch and need basic information and updates about the emergency response go to the Environment Canterbury Earthquake Website. Whilst many scientists are busy at GNS Science with seismic data and interpretation of the physical and social impacts of the earthquake in Christchurch, everyone here is feeling sympathy for those still struggling to
Christchurch Earthquake Feb 22 Read More »
Julia Becker is one of the Social Scientists at GNS Science. Her role is to understand the human response to natural hazards, and she works with other scientists and organisations to help plan for future disasters. I asked her to write a diary of her experiences of working in Christchurch in the week following the
Julia Becker’s Observations following the Darfield Earthquake Read More »