The Earthquake Commission (EQC) has confirmed the continued funding of $12 million for GeoNet in 2018/19.
According to EQC general manager of resilience Hugh Cowan, EQC supported the establishment of GeoNet in 2001 and remains an anchor partner.
“GeoNet has become a critical national facility and underpins New Zealand’s ability to detect and interpret geological hazard risk and reduce the impact on people and property,” Cowan said. “GeoNet provides fast access to information and high-quality research data in a way that was unimaginable beforehand.
“This is of great benefit to EQC for our statutory role in reducing natural disaster damage, and underpins a lot of the science that gives our international reinsurers the confidence to continue to reinsure EQC,” he added.
GeoNet is run by GNS Science and has a network of more than 600 sensors around New Zealand producing data that is made freely available online and is analysed by scientists around the world. Cowan also noted GeoNet attracts international science investment in related research, significantly increasing the resources available to understand New Zealand hazards.
“With such good quality data freely available, we receive significantly more top quality scientific attention than we would otherwise get,” Cowan added. “For example, GeoNet provides base data for the large international research effort on the Alpine Fault, and for international research to understand why the Kaikōura quake was the most complex quake recorded.”
GeoNet is funded by EQC, LINZ and GNS Science with contributions from MetService and the Department of Conservation. Starting this year, MBIE is also adding funding. As a key partner with Geonet and GNS Science, MCDEM is supportive of this initiative.
