Geology & Seismology
New Thinking
Landslips and erosion: just how bad is 2006?
Fossil vomit and other stories
New Zealand has the best fossil record in the Southern Hemisphere - many curated by GNS Science. A new exhibition will show that fossils, including fossil vomit, have current and future utility as well as telling great stories.
The new rock and roll
Earthquakes are a fact of life for most New Zealanders, with 14,000 or so recorded tremors each year. Monitoring what happens and where is key to improving earthquake readiness and response. With the GeoNet monitoring network, Crown Research Institute GNS Science is seismically aware, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
New Science
Scientists to take close look at Fiordland aftershocks
Robotic Vehicles To Explore Offshore Volcano
Wellington faultline project to focus on the big one
Preparing for natural disasters
But WHY do the shifting sands shift?
For many who live near the coast, beach erosion and buildup is much more than a philosophical question: it’s fundamental to the future. An international research team led by NIWA is investigating how sandbars influence beach shape – with The Coromandel’s Tairua and Pauanui beaches both in the spotlight.
New power source right under our feet?
A city the size of Christchurch could be powered by generating geothermal electricity from the heat in our disused oil and gas wells, reckons GNS Science. There are over 300 old wells with the heat to become significant generators. What’s more, many more old wells could be directly tapped for their geothermal riches.
