CONFERENCE SESSIONS

A Welcome Journey - Weaving the Strands of Human Diversity into Geoscience

The aim of this session is to provide a forum for presentations and discussion about how the geoscientific community, and the GSNZ as an organisation, can foster a more diverse and inclusive community of researchers and practitioners, for the benefit of our people, our science, and society. Whiria te taura here tāngata.

Session Convenors: Jenny Stein, GSNZ

Active Tectonics and Earthquakes of Aotearoa New Zealand

Active Earth deformation in Aotearoa New Zealand manifests as faulting, earthquakes, elastic strain and creep. This deformation primarily arises due to relative plate motions along onshore and offshore parts of the plate boundary, and can be resolved over a range of timescales using a variety of geodetic, geophysical and geological datasets. We invite presentations on all aspects of active tectonics and earthquakes, measured over timescales of seconds to tens of thousands of years, and from any part of Aotearoa New Zealand. We particularly encourage contributions from students and early-career researchers.

Session Convenors: James Muirhead, University of Auckland; Andy Nicol, University of Canterbury; Jade Humphrey, University of Canterbury

Deciphering Aotearoa's environmental past, present and future

How has Aotearoa's landscape and environment changed through time and what might the future hold? This session invites research that uses geochemistry, paleoclimate, sedimentology, paleontology and more to explore landscape and environmental change across New Zealand. We welcome contributions spanning deep time to the present, from marine to terrestrial settings, and from process-based studies to future projections. Submissions from students and early-career researchers are especially encouraged.

Session Convenors: Paul Augustinus, University of Auckland; Barry O'Connor, University of Auckland; Laura McDonald, University of Auckland

Distributed Volcanism: Processes, Products, and Hazards

This session explores the nature and implications of distributed volcanism, focusing on magma genesis, volcanic geology, eruption magnitudes and frequencies, and associated hazards. Distributed volcanic systems, including monogenetic fields, caldera complexes, and dome-forming systems, present unique scientific challenges due to their spatial spread and variable eruptive histories. We particularly welcome research on the Auckland Volcanic Field, New Zealand’s most prominent example of distributed volcanism, exploring magmatic processes, eruption recurrence, and potential future activity. Studies on caldera and dome systems across New Zealand and comparable international settings are also encouraged, especially those addressing the interplay between magmatic plumbing systems and surface expression.

Session Convenors: Kate Maurihooho, Massey University; Simon Barker, Victoria University of Wellington; Jan Lindsay, University of Auckland

Earth, Energy, and Innovation: Geoscience for the Energy Transition

With the transition to a low-emissions future, geoscience is pivotal for meeting rising energy and mineral demands. This session brings together experts from renewable energy, hydrocarbons, and mineral exploration to examine developments such as offshore wind, geothermal energy, carbon removal, gas hydrates, and hydrogen. The focus will be on energy issues in Aotearoa New Zealand, highlighting technological innovation and/or regional case studies that explore how geoscientific insights drives energy and resource security and environmental sustainability. Presentations will highlight both current advancements and untapped opportunities, with discussion about future-proofing our resource strategies and opening of new avenues for exploration and development.

Session Convenors: Andrew La Croix, University of Waikato; Ludmila Adam, University of Auckland

Exploring the Frontiers of Marine Geosciences: Processes, Hazards, and Resources

Marine geosciences play a crucial role in advancing our understanding of the dynamic processes shaping the ocean floor, continental margins, and deep-sea environments. This session invites contributions that explore the latest research, methodologies, and technological innovations in marine geosciences.

Session Convenors: Marta Ribó, Auckland University of Technology; Sally Watson, National Institute of Water & Atmospheric Research

General Geoscience

Do you have something you'd like to share that doesn't quite fit into the other sessions? Please submit it here and we'll figure out how to fit this into the programme once abstracts are in!

Session Convenors: Jennifer Eccles, University of Auckland

Geoscience Advances with Synchrotron Radiation

Utilisation of synchrotron-source radiation in the geosciences is increasingly providing new ways to explore Earth’s materials. Synchrotron-source radiation provides high intensity, high spatial resolution analysis of a wide range of materials, improving our ability to understand the micro-scale environment. We invite submissions from a wide range of geoscience topics and investigations utilising approaches including X-ray fluorescence microscopy, infrared spectroscopy, powder diffraction, X-ray absorption spectroscopy, and CT imaging.

Session Convenors: Michael Rowe, University of Auckland

Geoscience Communication, Education and Outreach, Going on Around the Motu and Beyond

We all know ‘geology rocks!’, but do others…? What does it take to better engage with current audiences, and reach new ones? How can we ‘take communities on the journey with us’, and capture the imaginations of current and future geoscience students?

Session Convenors: Jenny Stein, GSNZ; Ilmars Gravis, Geoconservation.org

Ka mua ka muri: mātauranga māori and its application in the geosciences

Indigenous knowledge is recognised by the international science community as an alternative domain of understanding, knowing, being and doing, that is highly relevant to present-day societal challenges and plays a crucial and increasingly recognised role in geosciences, offering millennia of accumulated observations, interpretations, and understanding of Earth systems.In Aotearoa New Zealand this is mātauranga Māori, drawing from centuries of observations of geoscience phenomena, mātauranga Māori is uniquely placed to contribute to Aotearoa’s future.We invite papers for this session from geoscience research that has engaged in any way with mātauranga Māori.

Session Convenors: Dan Hikuroa, University of Auckland; Kate Maurihooho, Massey University; Sylvia Tapuke, University of Auckland

Our changing landscapes: Surface process of dynamics, evolution, and hazards

If you research any aspect of landscape dynamics or landscape evolution, or the impacts of Earth surface processes, then this session will be a great place to present your work. The session aims to showcase measurements and observations of the changing surface of Earth or beyond, over contemporary to geological timescales, and contribute new understanding to what drives these changes, and the environmental and hazard impacts that they impart.

Session Convenors: Sam McColl, GNS Science; Jon Tunnicliffe, University of Auckland

Palaeontology for the People

This session seeks contributions from the paleontological community that highlight how their research has benefited or has potential to benefit society. This may be interpreted broadly to encompass environmental, economic, social or cultural benefits. Examples may include the development of environmental proxies, improved projections of future climate change, constraining the distribution of geological resources, the rates and magnitudes of natural hazard events, enriching knowledge of significant landmarks, linkages between geoscience and Mātauranga Māori.

Session Convenors: Chris Hollis, Victoria University of Wellington; Bruce Hayward, Geomarine Research

Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland - a Geoscience Laboratory

The city of Auckland and its surroundings are home to a wide variety of geoscience research. Perhaps the most obvious is its active volcanic field, as an example of urban and intraplate volcanism. And while tectonically quiet compared to regions in the South and Central North Island, it’s close proximity to the Hauraki Rift and recent recognition of Quaternary-age faults in the southern parts of the region necessitate ongoing investigations into the region’s seismic hazard. Miocene volcanics in the Waitākere Ranges record the early development of Aotearoa’s volcanic arcs associated with the establishment of the Hikurangi margin.

Session Convenors: Kasper Van Wijk, University of Auckland; James Muirhead, University of Auckland

The Aotearoa New Zealand geoscience data landscape: management, computing and dissemination solutions

Geoscience is increasingly driven by digital, multidisciplinary data and complex processing pipelines. As open data and open science practices grow, robust data management guided by FAIR principles is essential to ensure that data collected in Aotearoa New Zealand are usable, shareable, and preserved for future generations. Meanwhile, a vibrant iwi data community is leading global conversations on CARE principles and Indigenous data sovereignty—often disconnected from geoscience practices. This session invites contributions from scientists and specialists on data management, computational pipelines, data sharing and dissemination solutions, identifying gaps and challenges, and especially welcome contributions on Māori data governance and sovereignty.

Session Convenors: Elisabetta D'Anastasio, GNS Science; Jonathon Hanson, GNS Science; Mark Rattenbury, GNS Science

The Role of Geoscience for Sustainable Mining Endeavours: Aotearoa's Experience

This session explores how geoscience supports sustainable mining practices in Aotearoa New Zealand. We invite contributions that highlight the integration of geological, environmental, and cultural perspectives in mineral exploration, extraction, and post-mining land use. Case studies from active and legacy sites, innovations in geometallurgy, community engagement, and frameworks aligning with Aotearoa's energy transition are encouraged. The session aims to showcase how geoscience can contribute to resource development, environmental stewardship, and long-term resilience within New Zealand’s unique geological and societal context.

Session Convenors: Gerd Siefeld, University of Auckland 

Understanding tectonic and magmatic processes

This session welcomes contributions that give insights into tectonic and/or magmatic processes that may come from studying systems of different ages, settings or locations across the Earth.

Session Convenors: Jennifer Eccles, University of Auckland

Volcanic Lakes: Dynamics, Hazards, and Community Resilience

Explore the fascinating world of volcanic lakes in this multidisciplinary session, focusing on their dynamic processes, inherent geohazards, and critical role in community resilience. Volcanic lakes are vital for monitoring volcanic activity but also pose significant dangers like limnic eruptions, phreatic eruptions and lahars that directly affect communities. Beyond their hazards, they offer unique windows into subsurface volcanic systems. This session will also examine into how volcanic lake sediments record environmental and climatic changes, crucial for understanding surface processes. We welcome research from volcanology, limnology, geochemistry, and biology, showcasing the intertwined aspects of volcanic lake science and its relevance to communities.

Session Convenors: Agnes Mazot, GNS Science; AJ Marshall, Victoria University of Wellington; Cynthia Werner, US Geological Survey Contractor; Bruce Christenson

Volcanic Processes shaping Aotearoa's Landscape

Aotearoa New Zealand’s dynamic volcanic history has profoundly influenced its landforms, ecosystems, and hazards. This session invites research on volcanic processes—from magma genesis and eruption dynamics to tephra dispersal, hydrothermal systems, and landscape evolution. We welcome contributions from all disciplines, including volcanology, geochemistry, geophysics, structural geology, and mātauranga Māori, that enhance our understanding of volcanic activity and its imprint on the environment. Case studies from active, dormant, or extinct volcanic systems are encouraged. The session aims to foster dialogue on the role of volcanism in shaping both the physical landscape and our cultural relationship with it.

Session Convenors: Gerd Siefeld, University of Auckland