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Get involved!

Explored our website and want wondering what you can do? We have a few suggestions from how you can help us collect data to running an event together (or asking us to run an event for your community) to actions you can take to become more resilience to earthquakes and tsunami. If you have other ideas you'd like to chat about, please reach out.

Seismometer deployment

We can't do this research without data, and we need your help to collect it. We are deploying seismometers (instruments to detect ground shaking) in Tai Tokerau. Right now, we have two seismometers gathering data, but we need nine more. Our seismometers are buried instruments, so they won't be especially noticeable. If you have a location you'd like to see a seismometer, please read on.

 

First, do you own land in one of the ovals in the map to the right? If so, can you drive a car up to it, even after a storm? Is it sunny, even in the winter? And, can you get 4G cellular data there? If you have answered yes to all three questions, we'd love to hear from you!

 

Please reach out and tell us where the location is. It would also be really helpful if you could provide answers to the following questions:

  1. How noisy do you think this area is? Can you regularly hear people, cars, wind, waves, or rivers at this location?

  2. Is the ground soft, hard, or rocky?

Prepare for an earthquake or tsunami

Do you live in a tsunami zone? Is your home earthquake-ready? Not sure where to start? We have plenty of suggestions! 

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  • If one of the locations you spend a lot of time is in a tsunami zone, do you have a few evacuation routes in mind? Remember that evacuating on foot (or bicycle) is best, if possible, to ensure the roads remain free flowing.

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  • Depending on what caused the tsunami (and where that event was located) a tsunami could arrive within minutes or up to half a day later. Since you may not be able to return to a tsunami zone for hours, are you ready? We recommend creating a "grab bag" so that you know you can quickly bring essentials with you. One of the great aspects of grab bags is that they help you prepare for any hazard event that requires evacuations. New Zealand's National Emergency Management Agency has some suggestions of items to include. Read more here: https://getready.govt.nz/prepared/household/supplies/

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  • Some times, there may not be enough time to issue an evacuation order, so it's really important you know the signs of an impending tsunami, especially if you are close to the water.

    • You may feel a long (i.e., a minute or more) or strong (i.e., hard to stand up)  earthquake. If you do, get to high ground immediately, but this is less common in Tai Tokerau and Tāmaki Makaurau. Thus, you should also know other signs of a tsunami.

    • The ocean may begin to sound funny. Is there a loud sound (like one you would associate with a train or plane nearby) coming from the water? That's not a good sign.

    • Depending on if the peak or trough of the tsunami arrives first, the ocean may begin pulling (far) away from the shore or look like a wall of water is approaching. This means the tsunami is imminent! 

    • If you notice an incoming tsunami, warn others as you move away from the water.

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  • During an earthquake, ground shaking can cause objects to fall. This can be hazardous if they fall on you. Consider attaching large furniture to walls so it cannot fall on you. 

Host an event

We love meeting communities, hearing about their experiences, and see if there are ways we can help address their fears for the future or become more resilient to seismic and tsunami hazards. Are you hosting an event and want a scientist to join and discuss what the risk of an earthquake or tsunami may be? Maybe you and your community already know what your risk is, but you want to create solutions to improve your resilience. We would be happy to co-host an event and present or listen. Alternatively, you may be still be in a learning stage and want to know more about the hazards that could endanger your community. We have the capacity to plan an event if you prefer. We are happy to discuss any of these possibilities and more. Please drop us a line so we can discuss. You don't need to have everything planned out before reaching out, we are happy to brainstorm options with you. Just click the letter button below!

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