Sessions
I. Our Dynamic Planet: Magmatism and Tectonics
a. Maunga Puia - Volcanoes and their eruptive products (LAVA NZ and Sedimentology SIGs endorsed)
Aotearoa and Zealandia’s evolution has been moulded by volcanism. Volcanic products and processes have shaped our landscape and contributed to the development of our indigenous culture. Present-day volcanism threatens the resilience of Aotearoa with many complex potentially hazardous processes impacting communities, infrastructure and economy. This session will be seeking contributions from a wide range of topics that relate to volcanism in Aotearoa, factors driving volcanism, eruptive/effusive products and hazards, past and potential future impacts, simulation of volcanic processes and volcanic geomorphology.
Session Convenors: Jon Procter, Gert Lube
b. Igneous Petrology and Geochemistry (LAVA NZ and Geochemistry SIGs endorsed)
This session focusses on magmatism in New Zealand and globally. We welcome petrological (including experimental petrology) and geochemical studies on materials ranging from mantle rocks through plutonic intrusions to volcanic eruption products, to improve our understanding of the petrogenetic processes that govern the different tectonomagmatic systems present on Earth. Further, we are hoping to see a wide range of analytical techniques, from whole-rock to microscopic scale, and from elemental to isotopic investigations, to gain insights into (i) sources and processes of magma genesis; (ii) processes and rates of magma ascent through the crust; (iii) magma-crust interactions; (iv) links between subvolcanic magmatism and volcanic eruptions; (v) syn- and post-eruptive processes as evident from the materials investigated; (vi) intensive parameters such as pressure, temperature, and compositional changes that may be derived; and (vii) the rates and timescales of all of the above, as constrained through a range of both absolute and relative dating methods.
Session Convenors: Georg Zellmer, Carlos Santa Cruz (Massey University)
c. Zealandia through space and time
All aspects of the evolution of Zealandia, including, but not limited to:
- basement terrane evolution in eastern Gondwana
- the ‘basement to cover’ transition - from Gondwana subduction to Zealandia rifting
- tectonic evolution and reconstructions of Zealandia and surrounding regions
- paleogeography, paleoenvironments and paleobiology
- rifting and evolution of Zealandia basins
- Paleogene–Neogene plate boundary development through Zealandia
- provenance and uplift studies
- Cretaceous and younger magmatism across Zealandia
Session Convenors: Dominic Strogen (GNS
Science), James Crampton (Victoria
University of Wellington)
II. Lessons from Active Earth Systems: Messages from the Past for the Future
- Geological interpretations: what does the geological record tell us about current and future hazardous events
- System dynamics: what can physical or chemical models tell us about system evolution and event triggers, precursors, and hazard parameters.
- Physical hazard: from modelling phenomena to observations that improve understanding of hazard dynamics, cascades, zonation and communication
- Statistical/uncertainty forecasts: from hazard forecasting to data uncertainties including where the geological record may, and may not, be valid and the limits of what the past may tell us about the future
Session Convenors: Melody Whitehead, Stuart Mead, Mark Bebbington (Massey University)
In association with
b. Our changing landscapes; surface process dynamics, evolution, and hazards (Sedimentology SIG endorsed)
This session brings together contributions that broaden the understanding of surface processes and their dynamics, evolution, and hazards as relevant to Earth and beyond. In particular, we welcome contributions that address topical issues in geomorphology and surface process sciences using innovative, cross-disciplinary approaches and technologies including remote-sensing, quantitative terrain analysis, numerical modelling, and geochronology. Timescales of interest may extend from that of landscape evolution over millions of years, through to the dynamics of Quaternary climate cycles, or contemporary observations and forward-looking future scenarios. Priority will be given to those contributions whose cross-disciplinary approaches enhance and draw linkages to other branches of the geosciences.
Session Convenors: Karoly Nemeth (Massey University), Sam McColl (Massey University), David Barrell (GNS Science), Kevin Norton (VUW)
e. The marine environment of Aotearoa/New Zealand: surface and subsurface processes and anthropogenic impactWith the majority of Te Riu-a-Māui/Zealandia lying underwater, marine geology is an essential field of research in Aotearoa/New Zealand. Advances in technology and the growing volume of marine data mean that we are poised on the threshold of a digital ocean. Recent and ongoing research including seafloor sampling surveys, sub-bottom surveys, seafloor mapping programmes, ROV and AUV dives have acquired a wealth of new data, allowing us to further explore offshore geology and active processes beneath the seafloor. Furthermore, we are increasingly aware of anthropogenic impacts from the coastal waters to the abyssal plains. This session seeks contributions from studies across the disciplines of marine geology and biogeosciences, ranging from the depths of the continental slopes to the shallow coasts.
Session Convenors: Jess Hillman (GNS Science), Sally Watson (NIWA), Karsten Kroeger (GNS Science), Sarah Seabrook (NIWA)
III. Living in A Dynamic GeoCultural Landscape: Geosciences and Society
Global efforts to reduce the impacts of disasters over the last decade have failed to keep up with growing exposure of people and assets to hazards, which is generating new risks and a steady rise in disaster-related losses. The UN member state-ratified Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction (2015) aims to reverse this trend, by calling for a more holistic, people-centric approach to disaster risk reduction, in which communities, government, private sectors and research institutions work together to build resilience and develop collaborative disaster risk reduction (DRR) practices. The geosciences are an essential discipline within the DRR mission, particularly through multi- and inter-disciplinary studies.Increasing acknowledgement of systemic risk factors has necessitated the investigation of the dynamic, cascading properties of disaster risk. In tandem, there is mounting evidence that best-practice for DRR involves collaboration and co-production of knowledge across the science-policy-practice interface. When coupled, these two eminent DRR principles present a unique challenge and an exciting opportunity in risk management and resilience-building initiatives. With this in mind, we warmly invite contributions on topics relating to geological risk and resilience studies and initiatives. We especially welcome contributions from practitioner and policy expert and early-career scientists.
Session Convenors: Alana Weir (University of Canterbury), Tom Robinson (University of Canterbury), James Williams (University of Canterbury), Tom Wilson (University of Canterbury), David Johnston (Massey University)
In association with Silver Sponsor
b. Connecting and Communicating about Geohazards
This session will explore recent, current, and planned initiatives relating to communicating about geohazards. We encourage updates and activities from major research programmes, engagement methods and user needs assessments, forecasts, visualisation tools and maps, crowdsource or citizen science activities, outreach, and education programmes. Social science research on risk perceptions, behavioural response, and communication are welcome. Presentations can be on original research, reviews, or practical/applied, and about any geohazard, impacts or risks.We welcome contributions to describe the aim(s) of their project, methods/processes, challenges they experienced, wins and successes, outputs, and any impacts.
Session Convenors: Sally Potter (GNS Science)
In association with Silver Sponsor
c. Geoheritage of Aotearoa and the SW Pacific
Geoheritage research continues to develop as a transdisciplinary science, where classical geological knowledge and physical geography research often occurs in parallel with biogeography, and tourism research. In turn these may be heavily influenced by social sciences such as pedagogy and cultural histories. New advances in geoeheritage research on the global stage demonstrate the dynamic nature of this science arena, with New Zealand and the SW Pacific providing the perfect canvas for researching and engaging with this field.We invite participants to demonstrate the diversity of geoheritage research within the New Zealand and SW Pacific context. In particular, we seek previously unpublished research, and new descriptive works outlining development of methodologies and projects for building geoheritage inventories; exploring the place of geotourism and geoconservation within diverse communities; and integration of advanced technologies within these research fields such as: advanced GIS, data mining techniques, remote sensing, and virtual technologies. We also seek submissions exploring global developments in these fields, that would place our regional geoheritage ventures in a wider global context and developments in internationally recognised best practices. This session is supported by Geoconservation Research and presenters are encouraged to develop a full length paper that can be submitted to this peer-reviewed, zero-fees open access magazine.
Session Convenors: Karoly Nemeth (Massey University; Geoconservation Trust Aotearoa), Ilmars Gravis (Geoconservation Trust Aotearoa), Chris Twemlow (Geoconservation Trust Aotearoa; Department of Conservation)
In association with
d. Manawa whenua, hōkikitanga kawenga: Tangata whenua, Geo-scapes and Geoscience
Tangata whenua have a unique eco genealogical relationship with the land of Aotearoa; personified as Papatūānuku the earth mother. Boundaries between humanity and the land are rendered non-existent as evidenced in the Māori cultural proverb: “Ko au te whenua, te whenua ko au” I am the land and the land is me. Geoscientists who are tangata whenua and/or have conducted research with tangata whenua that relates to the five key conference themes, are invited to present their research. Joint presentations with Māori research partners are also welcome. All presenters are encouraged to consider and where appropriate, comment on how their research has:
- Fostered science engagement with tangata whenua
- Been co-created in partnership with tangata whenua
- Addressed the geological/science concerns of tangata whenua
- Contributed to building science, technological and research capability of tangata whenua Acknowledged Mātauranga Māori
- Responded to Māori ethical concerns about researching the whenua
Session Convenors: Christine Kenney (Massey University), Lucy Kaiser (GNS Science and Massey University), Anke Zernack (Massey University)
e. GeoEducation and Outreach
This session is a chance for all those involved in geoscience education and outreach to showcase what they have learned through their interactions with aspiring geoscientists and geologists, schoolteachers, students, community groups and the general public. By sharing our knowledge and experiences, we will find out what works, what doesn’t, and what else we can do to help create meaningful experiences for non-earth science professionals.
Session Convenors: Jenny Stein (GSNZ)
IV. Facing the Future: Innovative Applications and Technologies in Geosciences
The increasing availability of computational power, numerical platforms and machine learning techniques has created significant opportunities for geoscience. This session aims to showcase the development, use and application of computational techniques in geosciences. We invite contributions from all aspects of geoscience utilising these computational advances including, but not limited to:
- model development, improvement, application, and validation
- machine learning techniques applied to geosciences
- database development and data analysis
- techniques leveraging high performance computing (HPC)
- geoscientific data visualisation
This session highlights new research using remote sensing to probe geological processes. The topics can cover from the lab- and field-based to satellite remote sensing with optical, thermal, RADAR, LiDAR sensors, or combinations. The session aims to present a good blend of research from both methodology and application aspects. The methodological contributions can include validation/calibration, sensor fusion, image classification and regression, and sensitivity analysis. Contributions exploring geological applications are welcome from any part of geoscience, including but not limited to digital terrain analysis, landslides, suspended sediment mapping, surface deformation, mineral exploration, natural hazards, geothermal and volcano research, geological mapping, among others.
Session Convenors: Sam McColl (Massey University), Saskia de Vilder (GNS Science), Andrea Wolter (GNS Science), Kerry Leith (GNS Science)
Session Convenors: Mac Beggs (University of Canterbury), Miko Fohrmann (OMV)
This session highlights innovative research of the New Zealand and overseas geochemistry community about environmental and climate change. It discusses technological developments and applications of new indicators on topics such as reconstructing productivity, nutrient cycling and water quality in aquatic environments, and metal tracers and non-traditional isotope systems to quantify processes on land and at sea. Selected topics discuss pollution and human impact or new research into global geochemical cycles across time that link the earth, ocean and atmosphere. Multiproxy reconstructions of life evolution and bioheritage, high-resolution paleorecords and dating of environmental archives are also presented.
a. The anthropogenic – the influence of contaminants in land and groundwater
The session aims to highlight the need for input of geosciences into the contaminated land discipline. Although most contaminated land projects focus on relative small areas ( 1 – 100 ha), regional contaminated land issues require geospatial and geoscience inputs. In New Zealand geothermal and volcanic regions have their own set of background concentrations that affect all contaminated site reports made in that region. Therefore geoscience input is important
Session Convenors: Ben Keet (Geo & Hydro – K8 Ltd)
b. Geoscience Horizons - Manawatu-Whanganui where the past experiences herald decisions for the future
Manawatu – Whanganui is under the jurisdiction of the Horizons Regional Council. It covers more than 22,000 km2 of North Island, New Zealand a region with diverse geology and geomorphology including the Hikurangi subduction and associated accretionary prism, active volcanoes of Tongariro National Park and uplifted Neogene sedimentary basins. The landscape is characterised by strongly dissected hill country and alluvial plains flanked to the west by a coastal-marine setting. The region is geologically active with mass movements and fluvial erosion two of the most recognised processes operating. Less frequent and less predictable geological events, such as volcanic activity, earthquakes and sea level fluctuation in response to climate change, are too often overlooked yet all three have played an integral role in the development of regions unique landscape and cover beds. The Horizons’ landscape is one of the best records of late Neogene – Quaternary deposits in New Zealand and perhaps the world. The geoheritage values of the region need to be incorporated into regional planning and used to steer local economic development in the future.
Session Convenors: Szabolcs Kosik (Horizons Regional Council), Callum Rees (Horizons Regional Council), Julie Palmer (Massey University)
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Conference Organisers
Conferences & Events LtdConference Manager: Ali Howard
+64 4 384 1511
This event is organised by Conferences & Events Ltd, Wellington, Auckland, Nelson & Nationwide. We are a New Zealand business.