QuakeCoRE Seminar – 2 October 2020

10 am Friday 2nd October 

“ ‘It’s Our Fault’ Research Programme: Building Earthquake Resilience for the Wellington region”

Abstract 

It’s Our Fault programme started in 2006 to better understand Wellington region’s earthquake risk. It is the most comprehensive study of its kind to look at the likelihood and effects of major earthquakes, how earthquakes will affect people and infrastructure, and what we can do to prepare and recover from these earthquakes. It’s Our Fault aims to increase Wellington’s ability to get through a major earthquake by conducting research, learning from recent events, and working with Wellingtonians.

Research excellence

It’s Our Fault studies earthquakes and consequences, and how to translate them into regional and city plans. Examples include tsunami and their effects on the Wellington harbour and its coastline, how ground shaking might trigger landslides in Wellington, which neighbourhoods are more prone to issues like fire and liquefaction following earthquakes, and what can be done to reduce this risk, and determining evacuation and sheltering needs following a major earthquake.

Learning from recent earthquakes

Recent earthquakes give us insight into how Wellington can better recover after an event. For example, impacts from liquefaction, landslides and building shaking onto people, policy and planning during and after the Canterbury (2010-2011), Cook Strait (2013) and Kaikoura (2016) earthquakes are directly relevant to Wellington region earthquake resilience.

Working with Wellingtonians

It’s Our Fault researchers work closely with EQC, Wellington City Council and Greater Wellington Regional Council to foster positive decision-making. Examples include evidence based decision making to support rainwater tank storage, painting tsunami blue line ‘safe zones’, and including hazards into regional and district policy.

For details on how to join the seminar – return to the 2020 Seminar series home page link

Zoom link