GNS Science

Why did the New Zealand Government ringfence $60 million to explore deeper geothermal? ⚡ Find out from GNS Scientist Dr Isabelle Chambefort as she explains the science that built the foundation of this decision... ...and learn why New Zealand could be the best testing ground for developing the "#supercritical" tech that the rest of the world needs. 🗓️ 31 Jan 08:00 NZT / 30 Jan, 14:00 EST Register now 👇 https://lnkd.in/gGHW_CHQ This webinar is part of the regular "Focus on Geothermal" series – a partnership of Enerchange and ThinkGeoEnergy. 🔉 MBIE Science and Innovation, Kānoa - Regional Economic Development & Investment Unit, Hon. Simon Watts MP FCA

It was with heavy hearts that we heard of the passing of Distinguished Professor David Johnston. David was a close friend and colleague of many at GNS, and our thoughts are with his family, friends, and colleagues at this difficult time.    David made a tremendous contribution to social science and natural hazards research, here in Aotearoa and around the world. He had an infectious passion for public good, social science, health, earth science, education, and history. He was a leader in inter-disciplinary work. His decades of mentoring and nurturing of graduate students and staff will be much missed.     GNS is deeply grateful to David for his role in setting up our social science team 25 years ago. His tireless work, support for Māori aspirations, visionary drive for societal resilience, and the positivity he brought to all his endeavours will be missed by those fortunate enough to know and work alongside him. 

This week in science... 🌱 We are developing a new tool with NZ’s greenhouse industry to make it easier for growers to use geothermal heating. 🌋 Until 1975, Ngāuruhoe was the most active volcano in Aotearoa New Zealand, erupting every few years on average. 🦴 Recent research into a fossil stored and catalogued at GNS has revealed new information on the Cretaceous Ichthyosaurs.  ☂️ Dr Nick Cradock-Henry comments on NIWA's Annual Climate Summary. Discover all these stories and more 👉 https://lnkd.in/gpVDz454

Ever wondered what an earthquake forecast is? While we can't tell you exactly when and where an earthquake is going to occur, we can give you a likelihood of an earthquake of a particular size occurring in a particular region over a given time period. This is called an earthquake forecast📈 Like climate and weather forecasts, we can use our understanding of geophysical processes and patterns in earthquake occurrence to build forecast models💻 Forecasts are used by a range of decision-makers in the immediate aftermath of a large earthquake up to long-term planning decisions to inform response and recovery efforts and increase our resilience to future earthquake events💪 Read more about how we forecast earthquakes here👇

💪It’s been a huge season for the SWAIS2C - Sensitivity of the West Antarctic Ice Sheet to 2°C on-ice team, co-led by Richard Levy (GNS Science and Victoria University of Wellington). 🗣️Co-Chief Scientist Tina van de Flierdt (Imperial College London) sums it up in this end of season wrap from their deep-field research camp at KIS3 on the Ross Ice Shelf. 🤩This ambitious international project is now focussed on the next season at Crary Ice Rise, where they will attempt to obtain a long sediment core from deep below the ice shelf. 🌡️This geological record holds insights to help us understand when and how fast the Ross Ice Shelf and West Antarctic Ice Sheet will react to global warming. With 2024 being the first calendar year on record where average global surface temperatures exceeded 1.5°C above pre-industrial, there's an even greater urgency for this critical science. Find out more 👉https://www.swais2c.aq/ 🎥 Ana Tovey / Anthony Powell - Antarctica New Zealand

🥗🌱 Announcing the future of food... geothermal-grown greens! ♨️ We are going full-steam ahead this year in our support of New Zealand's greenhouse growing industry. 🛠️ We will be working alongside Vegetables New Zealand Inc, TomatoesNZ and GeoExchange New Zealand to develop a tool that will make it much easier for greenhouse growers to access low-temperature geothermal heating - enabling them to transition away from fossil fuel burners. “The use of geothermal heat in greenhouses is common overseas but not in New Zealand, which is ironic given how obvious this form of energy is in parts of the country like Rotorua,” says Vegetables NZ Chief Executive, Antony Heywood. "What’s more, geothermal heat is available across New Zealand, not just in our volcanic zones. Most greenhouse operations only require temperatures below 70°C, which by using the right technology, can be harnessed from the naturally occurring geothermal energy resources below them." 🤔 So, why should growers consider switching to geothermal? TomatoesNZ Business Manager, Dinah Cohen says, "not only can geothermal heating significantly reduce their emissions, but also reduce vulnerability to volatile and rising energy costs." 👏This project is supported by Sustainable Food and Fibre Futures fund through the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI). Find out more about the project here 👇 https://lnkd.in/gdq9gAai 🔉 ThinkGeoEnergy, MBIE Science and Innovation, New Zealand Geothermal Association, Priority One Western Bay of Plenty 📸 NZ Gourmet

🥵 Sausages are sizzling... and it's got us thinking about hot stuff. 🌶️Our industries like food growers, timber, and manufacturing need lots of heat, even in the summer! But here’s the thing: fossil fuels burners aren’t the only option. By tapping into the Earth’s natural warmth, businesses can access: 🌱 Clean, 24/7 heating 💰 Cost-effective energy supply 📊 Greater energy security This summer, we’re turning up the heat on how businesses can switch from fossil fuels to geoheat. Learn more about New Zealand's geoheat opportunity👇 https://lnkd.in/gGz_3mnT #NewYearNewHeat #Geoheat #RenewableEnergy #AlwaysOn #Geothermal #Decarbonisation #NZSummer #CleanIndustry 🔊 GeoExchange New Zealand, EECA (Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority), MBIE Science and Innovation, ThinkGeoEnergy, Vegetables New Zealand Inc

🗓️🔥The new year is here, and so is a new #hot opportunity... Fossil fuels have powered our heating and cooling for decades, but geoheat offers a renewable, low-carbon alternative right beneath our feet. Watch to learn how the Earth’s natural heating can help us, ✔️ Cut emissions ✔️ Save on energy costs ✔️ Secure a local, reliable energy source Geoheat is already being used in New Zealand’s food processing and timber industries — but this is just the beginning. Join us this summer as we spotlight the power of geoheat and how could power a cleaner future. Learn more about New Zealand's geoheat opportunity👇 https://lnkd.in/gNRNPHyY 🔊 GeoExchange New Zealand, EECA (Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority), MBIE Science and Innovation, ThinkGeoEnergy, Vegetables New Zealand Inc #NewYearNewHeat #Geoheat #RenewableEnergy #AlwaysOn #Geothermal #Decarbonisation #NZSummer #CleanIndustry

😎☀️ Feeling the heat? 🌡️ Now imagine tapping into that warmth all year round to heat buildings, power industries, and produce food. 🍅🧀 "Geoheat" is about using the Earth’s natural heat. By using the right technology, we can tap into geoheat to replace fossil fuel burners for supplying the heat we need. It’s local, it's everywhere, it’s 24/7 — and geoheat is already used in our industries like timber, dairy, and even greenhouses. 📽️ This summer, we’re kicking off a mini-series to explore how geoheat works, why we have used it for thousands of years, and how it could create a future of sustainable industries in NZ... Learn more about New Zealand's geoheat opportunity👇 https://lnkd.in/gFZvtGHn #NewYearNewHeat #Geoheat #RenewableEnergy #AlwaysOn #Geothermal #Decarbonisation #NZSummer #CleanIndustry 🔊 GeoExchange New Zealand, EECA (Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority), MBIE Science and Innovation, ThinkGeoEnergy,  Vegetables New Zealand Inc

🏘️Have you ever been curious how the urban area you call home is planned and developed for? Why are things built where they are? Where do the resources come from? The Urban Geological Mapping Project, funded by the New Zealand Government, requires a broad diversity of geoscience skills and at the heart of this work is GNS’s Urban Geological Mapping Project team🗺️👩🔬 Check out this story to find out what is involved in putting together an Urban Geological Map, what they show and what they are used for💻