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GNS Science conducts research based around four major themes.
Geological Hazards and Tectonics
- geological structure, deformation and tectonics
- strong earthquake processes and earthquake resistant construction design
- engineering and geotechnical properties of rocks
- geological hazards and services
- Antarctic geological structure and tectonics
Earth and Ocean Resources
- geothermal and mineral resources
- basin evolution and petroleum potential
- groundwater resources, quality and processes
- fisheries and seafood
Environment and Land Use
- geological mapping and spatial information in New Zealand
- origin and development of New Zealand's continental crust
- geological time, paleoclimate and paleobiodiversity in New Zealand and Antarctica
- quaternary and older environments and environmental processes
Isotope Technologies
- non-invasive scanning for optimisation of biological and synthetic products
- isotope and nuclear science facilities underpinning dating and environmental sciences
- ion beam technologies underpinning material sciences
GNS Science is New Zealand's leading supplier of earth and isotope scientific research and consultancy services. GNS Science delivers knowledge and technology to clients in the areas of:
- earth and ocean environments
- non-renewable and renewable geological resources
- natural hazards and their social and economic impacts
- isotope applications in all sectors
GNS Science has nine client-focused sections:
- hydrocarbons
- geothermal and minerals
- groundwater
- earthquakes
- volcanoes
- active landscapes
- mapping
- isotope applications
- geological time
Our major clients and industry links include: petroleum exploration companies; electricity, gas, and telecommunications companies; environmental and land use management industries; engineers, planners, and developers; territorial authorities; geothermal energy industry; meat, wool, dairy, and forestry processing industries, insurance industry, museums and art dealers' universities and research organisations.
So, what does all this mean? What does GNS Science really do? Are they all scientists locked away in laboratories? How does their research affect the ordinary person?
Below is a list of recent work from GNS Science. Far from having little use in the community, GNS Science research and developments are helping in a wide range of activities; from catching criminals to catching fish, and from protecting public health to protecting buildings during earthquakes.
Recent contributions to New Zealand from GNS Science .
| OUTCOME | BENEFIT |
| Modified airport baggage scanners to provide useful information for the wool, meat and coal industries | Faster, more accurate, more cost-effective classing and grading for the merino wool processing industry. Enables development of new high-value niche products |
| Developed a more accurate and affordable method of measuring the isotope silicon-32 in the environment. | More precise and more meaningful studies of climate change and oceanography, and a better understanding of glaciers and hydrothermal ocean vents. |
| Developed a range of non-invasive measuring technologies for the wood processing industry. | More efficient processing and more control over the characteristics of the end product. |
| Developed non-invasive measuring gauges for the dairy processing industry. | Improved quality control, less waste, reduced production costs. |
| Discovered submarine volcano activity northeast of New Zealand. | Provides a clearer picture of New Zealand's offshore mineral potential. Also provides new insights into the role of minerals in the ocean food chain. |
| Part-way through a major upgrade of New Zealand's national network of seismic instruments. | Faster and more accurate information about earthquakes. Higher quality data will enable a higher standard of research leading to a better understanding of earthquake and volcanic hazards. |
| Designed and installed state-of-the-art acoustic eruption detection system on Mount Ruapehu. | Enables rapid evacuation of the mountain by giving realtime warning of an eruption and production of lahars. |
| Developed a new earthquake hazard model for New Zealand. | Improved building code leading to safer buildings and structures. |
| Investigated and reported on the rupture probability of the Wellington Fault. | Gives planners, engineers, industry, government, and the public a clearer picture of the risks associated with living in Wellington. |
| Helped define the earthquake activity on the South Island's Alpine Fault over the last 1000 years. | More realistic hazard information for planners, engineers, territorial authorities, emergency managers, and the public. |
| Developed a scoring system that rates the vulnerability of alpine huts to natural hazards. | Improved public safety. |
| Developed a numerical modelling software package to map the generation of oil and gas from source to trap. | Helps petroleum exploration companies focus on areas of higher prospectivity thereby lowering their costs and risks. |
| Developed time domain electromagnetic imaging | Enables oil exploration companies to more accurately map source rocks for drilling. |
| Developed a rapid paleontological analysis service for oil exploration companies. | Assists in making informed drilling decisions and reduces exploration costs. |
| Developed a broadband sonar system to enhance the finding of fish and species identification. | Improved stock management and cost savings in the fishing industry. |
| Developed risk assessment software that models the impact of natural hazards such as earthquakes, fire, floods, landslides on cities. | Enables more precision in formulating policy, improves the communication of risk, and will help communities recover more quickly after a disaster. |
| Developed application forensic geology using pollen. | Provides a new source of evidence linking a suspect to a crime. |
| Developed a national system of groundwater indicators showing trends in groundwater quality. | Helps protect public health and improves the management of groundwater resources. |
| Developed 3D groundwater flow models to investigate options for water use. | Enhances planning decisions and environmental impact studies. |
| Developed leading-edge geothermal field location and delineation methods using electrical techniques. | Improves precision and efficiency in assessing and developing geothermal fields. |
| Developed microgravity technique for keeping accurate measurements of underground fluid movements in geothermal fields. | Helps the sustainable management of geothermal energy developments and helps avoid negative impacts on the environment. |
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