New Zealanders are better protected from catastrophic tsunami thanks to KAREN.

Early warning saves lives

GeoNet is drastically reducing the likelihood of major devastation and serious economic upheaval from tsunami. Data from global networks is streamed in real-time into GeoNet. This data helps predict the likely magnitude of the tsunami and means NZ emergency services can respond quickly to the threat; protecting property and saving the lives of people living along NZ’s coastline.

KAREN enables an effective warning system

International cooperation is the key to the safety of New Zealanders. GeoNet works with Geoscience Australia, the Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre in Hawai’i and other organisations around the Pacific to exchange data and support each other’s hazard monitoring work.

During a geological event, real-time seismic and sea level data from across the Pacific travels at lightning speeds across KAREN to GeoNet. This means our scientists get the birds eye view of the tsunami they need to better predict the scale, location and impact.

“Over KAREN we can quickly collect the global information we need to predict how tsunami will strike NZ’s coastline,” Ken Gledhill, GeoNet Project Director.

Better data means better prepared

Data from tsunami and other events is stored at GNS Science and freely available for anyone to use. New Zealand scientists have ready access to this data over KAREN.

Because of KAREN, scientists can download and easily update huge blocks of data. Web services deliver these data in standard formats, enabling researchers to use tools of their choice to visualise and study these events.

“This research is extremely valuable and makes a very practical contribution to life in New Zealand; impacting decisions on where to locate new developments and how to construct buildings so they are more resilient to such events,” said Ken.

About GeoNet

GeoNet, a collaboration between GNS Science and the New Zealand Earthquake Commission, is a geological hazard monitoring system. It brings together a network of instruments, software and people to detect, analyse and respond to tsunami and other hazards like earthquakes, volcanic activity and large landslides.

More information

GNS Science’s GeoNet website

Use this case study as a resource

Download the pdf of the Tsunami case study (pdf, 303KB)

[Images courtesy of GeoNet. Top: Model of the Chilean tsunami in the Pacific showing how most of the energy headed towards Japan. Bottom: Plot of indicative tsunami travel times first-arrivals from around the Pacific Rim to New Zealand (East Cape). Each colour change from green represents one hour and each isochrone represents 5 minutes.]

Updated 8 April 2010