Geological Hazards

Research Group Summary

This programme has developed from the previous work of the Natural Hazards Research Centre; it now forms the framework for hazard-based application of the work in other research programmes, as well as generating its own basic research (mainly in the area of applied and engineering geomorphology). Close contacts are being developed with the range of organisations concerned with geological hazards both in New Zealand and overseas.

Current research programmes are focused on:
• Prediction of size, location and runout of large coseismic rock avalanches and volcanic debris avalanches
• Mechanics of fragmentation and rock friction: blockslides and faulting
• Mechanics of landslide dam breaching
• River aggradation and flooding from large mass movements
• Earthquake-induced flooding and aggradation on alluvial fans in Westland
• Paleoseismicity of active faults in the plate boundary deformation zone
• Fault-specific and regional seismic hazard assessment
• Seismic hazard assessment of Canterbury fault propagation folds
• Volcanic Debris Avalanches

The contribution of other programmes to the Geological Hazards Programme is seminal; these hazards cannot be understood unless active planetary processes are understood, including active tectonics, landscape evolution and climate change. The contribution of Engineering Geology to the Geological Hazards programme is also fundamental.

Key Contact

Members - UC Staff

Members - Non-UC Staff

  • Peter Almond: Collaborator; Lincoln University
  • John Beauchamp Berrill: Collaborator; N/A
  • Lis Bowman: Collaborator; N/A
  • Flo Buech: PhD Student; UC
  • Crile Doscher: Collaborator; Lincoln University
  • Anja Dufresne: PhD Student; UC
  • Greg Greg McRae: Collaborator; N/A
  • David Johnston: Collaborator; GNS Science
  • Oliver Korup: Collaborator; SLF Davos, Switzerland
  • Mauri McSaveney: Collaborator; GNS Science
  • Verne Harlan Pere: PhD Student; UC
  • Mark Sterling: Collaborator; GNS Science

Subject Area: Disciplines