Hazards

Dr Rob Bell worked out a long time ago that sea-level rise is much more than a scientific problem. No wonder then that people say his ability to listen is one of his best traits.

There are about 800km between the southern and northern tips of Tonga - and a lot of ocean.

Across the North Island, moderate to large increases in soil moisture levels were observed in many locations due to substantial rainfall in the past week. Across the South Island, substantial rainfall contributed to moderate to large increases in soil moisture levels in the vast majority of the island.

New information about landslides that occur on the seafloor off New Zealand’s east coast will help scientists better understand why and where they happen, and the types of threats they pose.

Novel handwriting recognition project casts new light on historic weather data.

A chance discovery off the Gisborne coast five years ago is prompting a NIWA scientist to find out more about the link between a field of methane seeps bubbling out of the sea floor and submarine landslides.

NIWA is using serious games to look at problems holistically, support understanding and give a framework for climate change adaptation decision-making.

NIWA meteorologists are keeping an eye on an unusual atmospheric phenomenon that is amassing in the polar stratosphere.

Two reports released today by NIWA and the Deep South National Science Challenge reveal new information about how many New Zealanders, how many buildings and how much infrastructure could be affected by extreme river and coastal flooding from storms and sea-level rise.

EQC, GNS Science and NIWA have joined forces to further develop world-leading natural hazards risk modelling for New Zealand.

The alp-fed braided rivers of Canterbury are treasured for their landscape, recreational amenities, salmon- and trout-fishing, and unique riverine environments – which provide habitat to a host of endangered birds – but they are under threat from land-use intensification and a growing demand for irrigation water.

Fine sediment is the most pervasive and significant contaminant in New Zealand’s rivers, estuaries, and coastal areas.