Science Media Centre

Communicating vital information to the public during disasters is an essential, but sometimes daunting, responsibility for scientists and engineers. At the request of members of the natural hazards research community, the Science Media Centre hosted a workshop reflecting on challenges faced and lessons learned during recent major events, such as the Canterbury and Cook Strait quakes, the eruption of Mt […]

Christchurch researchers have retrospectively analysed the Canterbury quakes from the perspective of urban forest management, highlighting the important role trees and greenspaces played during the earthquakes. In the research article, published this week in the journal Urban Forestry & Urban Greening, researchers point out how rows trees acted as sheltering barricades against falling debris and […]

A swathe of newly published research on the Christchurch Quakes has revealed scientific insights into the tragic disaster. The international journal Seismological Research Letters published a special issue focusing solely on the Christchurch earth quakes. A total of 19 new research articles were included in the issue, covering a range of areas such as liquefaction, […]

Scientists spoke this week at the first of many hearings held by the Royal Commission of Inquiry into the Canterbury Earthquakes. The Science Media Centre has drawn together the some of the media coverage so far. The commission’s inquiry will report on the causes of building failure as a result of the quakes and the […]