Earthquake Hazards
The Earthquake Hazards Flagship aims to make New Zealand more resilient to earthquakes and their cascading hazards. We do this through developing and applying end-to-end cutting-edge science that enhances preparedness, reduces risk, forecasts the future hazard, and enables effective response and recovery.
Earthquakes are among New Zealand’s most deadly natural hazards and are responsible for the biggest single-event financial losses in recent history, with wide-ranging cascading hazards and impacts that repeatedly set back economic growth and prosperity. We aim to reduce these impacts through the uptake and use of our science (for example, through provision of data, services and guidance). With partners, we will create and implement multi-hazard impact models, investigate New Zealand’s unique tectonic and site characteristics and provide rapid science advice for large earthquakes in New Zealand and the Pacific.
Chief Scientist - Earthquake Hazards: Anna Kaiser
Anna Kaiser is a seismologist with broad leadership experience across earthquake science programmes, guiding fundamental research through to application. Real-world events like the 2010-2012 Canterbury earthquake sequence and 2016 Kaikōura earthquake have shaped her career and passion to help NZ better prepare for and respond to the next large quake. Her science focus areas include local ground shaking effects, seismic hazard models and their incorporation into building code, as well as earthquake and tsunami rapid response. She has most recently launched a new Endeavour programme on next-generation early warning for earthquakes and tsunami in New Zealand.