Sessions

I. Our Dynamic Planet: Magmatism and Tectonics

1a. Mauna 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 communities with many complex and 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 the South Pacific, 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

1b. 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 Corella Santa Cruz (Massey University)

1c. 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)

1d. Seismotectonics of Aotearoa/ New Zealand and beyond

This session will explore the active and Quaternary seismotectonics of Aotearoa/New Zealand and the southwest Pacific through local examples, and studies that put this region in a global context. Approaches from multiple techniques and disciplines are critical to unravelling active tectonic processes, and this session aims to provide a space for studies from across the spectrum of geophysics and geology which can elucidate the kinematics and driving forces of inter- and intra-plate deformation. We welcome contributions from disciplines including, but not limited to: seismology, geodesy, tectonic geomorphology, paleoseismology, structural geology, marine geology, as well as multi-disciplinary studies related to understanding active lithospheric deformation.

Session Convenors: Camilla Penney (University of Canterbury), Genevieve Coffey (GNS Science), Jack Williams (University of Otago)

Special Session 1e. Evolution of an Active Caldera System: The Okataina Volcanic Centre

In the northern part of the Taupo Volcanic Zone (TVZ) lies the Okataina Volcanic Centre (OVC), one of the most productive and active volcanic centres in the TVZ with several geothermal fields located around the margins. The occurrence of volcanism, geothermal systems and complex caldera structure, coincident with a shift in rift-axis and a change in active fault-strike have made the OVC a focus of numerous studies (and potentially future ICDP scientific drilling) on caldera processes, their evolution and interaction with tectonic structure.

This session welcomes contributions from recent studies of the OVC across a broad range of methods (e.g. geophysical, geological, geochemical, petrological, numerical modelling, etc.). We seek contributions that explore magmatic, volcanic, tectonic, geothermal and groundwater processes occurring within, or around, the OVC. Together, this session aims to showcase our modern understanding of the OVC and feedbacks between melt and rift structure that control caldera evolution. 

Session Convenors: Ted Bertrand, Cécile Massiot, Cornel de Ronde (GNS Science)

II. Lessons from Active Earth Systems: Messages from the Past for the Future

2a. Natural hazards – from the geological record to forecasting

This session aims to present a comprehensive overview of current research surrounding the what, how, when, where, and why of natural hazards in New Zealand, based primarily (but not exclusively) on previous activity, models and current observations. Topics may include: 

  1. Geological interpretations: what does the geological record tell us about current and future hazardous events 
  2. System dynamics: what can physical or chemical models tell us about system evolution and event triggers, precursors, and hazard parameters
  3. Physical hazard: from modelling phenomena to observations that improve understanding of hazard dynamics, cascades, zonation and communication
  4. 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)

2b. 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: Sam McColl (GNS), David Barrell (GNS Science), Kevin Norton (VUW), Karoly Nemeth 

2c. Understanding climate and environmental change (Friends of the Pleistocene SIG endorsed)

Global climate and environmental changes present significant challenges for current and future generations. In this session we encourage submissions from the full spectrum of climate and environmental research, with presentations having a key focus on (but not limited to): (i) analyses of present climate trends/impacts; (ii) climate/environmental reconstruction from geological archives (recent to deep time); (iii) interactions between humans, climate and environment; and iv) computer modelling of past/present climate and environmental change. This session is a ‘Friends of the Pleistocene’ GSNZ Special Interest Group

Session Convenors: Peter Almond (Lincoln University), Shaun Eaves (VUW), Olivia Truax, David Barrell (GNS Science)

2d. Integrated Coastal Dynamics: Our Changing Coastline

Coastal environments are complex and dynamic with morphodynamics that are influenced by autogenic processes, natural external forcings, climate change, and direct anthropogenic interactions. These processes act on and are recorded in the landscape and the sedimentary record over a wide range of spatial and temporal scales, from long-term and broad-scale to short-term and fine-scale processes and deposits. How will changing climate and sea level impact New Zealand’s natural and built environments, and how can the nation adapt to these changes socially, economically, and environmentally? In this session we invite presentations that address all aspects of coastal dynamics. We are particularly interested in studies that cross disciplinary boundaries, address the integration of social science and Mātauranga Māori into research programmes, and use modelling to explore the impacts of changing coastal environments on people, society, and infrastructure.

Session Convenors: Kyle Bland (GNS Science), Phaedra Upton (GNS Science)

2e. Marine geological processes and human impacts in the ocean

With the majority of Te Riu-a-Māui/Zealandia and large areas offshore Australia lying underwater, marine geology is an essential field of research in Australasia. 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)


In association with

III. Living in A Dynamic GeoCultural Landscape: Geosciences and Society

3a. Advances in Communication, Education, and Disaster Risk Science

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 United Nations 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.

This session provides the opportunity for contributions on topics relating to geological risk and resilience studies and initiatives, co-produced knowledge across the science-policy-practice interface, and the study of dynamic, cascading properties of disaster risk. This session will also 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, communicating forecasts and risk, 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. We especially encourage contributions from practitioner and policy experts, early-career scientists, and participants from diverse backgrounds and communities.

Session Convenors: Sally Potter (GNS Science), Alana Weir (University of Canterbury), Tom Robinson (University of Canterbury), James Williams (University of Canterbury), Tom Wilson (University of Canterbury), David Johnston (Massey University)

3b. GeoEducation, Outreach & International Development

The world is facing many challenges related to climate change, natural hazards, and resource equity & security. To face these challenges, people from across all aspects of society need to work effectively together, toward a range of common goals. To do this, non-geoscientists need to be 'on board' with geoscientific and related information, while scientists in turn need have a better understanding of the contextual realities of implementing their research. Barriers to achieving such effective communication and collaboration often include the increasingly complex nature of scientific language and research, differences in cultural values and protocols, and limitations on time and resources dedicated to 'outreach'. This session is dedicated to all those who have managed to overcome these and other challenges to meaningfully engage non-experts with geoscience. From pre-schoolers to policy makers, whether you’ve worked with local government to develop strategic plans for an uncertain future, communicated critical information in preparation for or in response to a hazardous natural event, helped build public awareness and understanding of basic geological phenomena, or inspired future generations of young geoscientists, we want to hear from you! This session is a chance to celebrate your successes, share lessons learned from any 'failures', and inspire future progress and discussion with any other insights you may have gained along the way.

Session Convenors: Jenny Stein (GSNZ)


In association with Silver Sponsor

3c. Science in response and recovery

In the immediate aftermath of large earthquakes and tsunamis, science underpins response and recovery decisions. Rapid information about the event can be used to generate coseismic impact estimates, such as estimations of the spatial extent of strong ground shaking (e.g. shakemaps), landslides, or liquefaction. Estimates of postseismic impacts of event evolution include tsunami forecasts that underpin early warning, and aftershock forecasts that provide likelihood estimates of further damaging earthquakes. The coseismic and postseismic forecasts can subsequently be used to create risk products that underpin risk-based decision making, and for public messaging and advisories. In this session, we invite submissions addressing any novel aspect of response and recovery science and engineering, including but not limited to characterisation of the earthquake and its impacts, early warning, risk analysis, and information communication and distribution.

Session Convenors: Bill Fry, Anna Kaiser, Jen Andrews, Libby Abbott (Te Pū Ao) 


In association with Silver Sponsor

IV. Facing the Future: Innovative Applications and Technologies in Geosciences

4a. Computational advances 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

Session Convenors: Stuart Mead (Massey University), David Dempsey (University of Canterbury)

4b. Remote Sensing and Geospatial Data Analysis for Geological Applications

This session highlights new research using remote sensing and geospatial data 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, GIS applications, 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: Gabor Kereszturi (Massey University), Ian Hamling (GNS Science)

4c. Engineering Geology/Geomorphology: Advances and Applications in a Dynamic World

This session aims to highlight innovation and advances in the field of Engineering Geology/Geomorphology and the practical application of this knowledge to inform decision makers and increase resilience to natural hazards. We welcome a broad range of abstracts including advances in our understanding of slope stability mechanics and processes, the properties and behaviour soil and rock, engineering geological ground models, and innovative technologies used for monitoring and modelling ground conditions and unstable slopes.  

Session Convenors: Sam McColl, Saskia de Vilder, Andrea Wolter, Kerry Leith (GNS Science) 

4d. Geochemical tools and applications to reconstruct environmental and climate change, human impact and Earth history in New Zealand, Australia and Antarctica (Geochemistry SIG endorsed)

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.

Session Convenors: Sebastian Naeher (GNS Science), James Scott (University of Otago) 

4e. Geoscience for Future Energy Systems

This session will canvass papers showcasing the roles of geoscience in enabling a sustainable, reliable and affordable future energy system for New Zealand.  This may include new applications of expertise and technology from existing energy industries to the evaluation and development of new possibilities including more challenging classes of geothermal energy, offshore wind and marine energy, and geostorage for hydrogen, CO2 sequestration.  Potential mineral resources for battery technology may also be addressed.

Session Convenors: Mac Beggs (University of Canterbury)

4f. Mineral Deposits: Geology, Exploration and Resources

This session is intended to be broad to capture all aspects of research on mineral deposits, exploration for mineral deposits, and examination of mineral systems and their resources, both in New Zealand and globally. This session welcomes papers that examine the structural controls on the location, architecture, depositional processes, and post-mineralisation modification of mineral deposits, through the implementation of traditional and innovative techniques at micro- to crustal-scale; through papers that examine exploration techniques or approaches to find mineral deposits; and papers that explore resource modelling, responsible development of resources and post-mining processes like mine-closure, remediation and acid-mine drainage.

New Zealand is well-endowed with mineral wealth that ranges from iron sands on the west coast of the North Island, and garnet sands of the West Coast of the South Island to hard-rock and alluvial gold of the Otago region and Coromandel Volcanic Zone. These minerals and more novel elements besides (such as REE placer deposits and Li in geothermal systems) could be extracted to support New Zealand’ transition to a low-carbon economy. Minerals play a key role in this transition and New Zealand must understand its own resources, where they are and how to utilise them in an efficient and responsible manner to support this transition.

Session Convenors: Michael Gazley (AusIMM and RSC Mining and Mineral Exploration)



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Conference Organisers

Conferences & Events Ltd
Conference 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.