Research in Geological Sciences

The Department's major collaborative research programmes and research concentrations are as follows:

• Active Tectonics and Earthquake Hazard Research Programme

• Volcanic Geology of the Taupo Volcanic Zone

• Basins, Terranes and Tectonic Evolution of the Pacific Rim

• Natural Hazards Research Centre

• Geological controls on coal and petroleum resources in the Australasian Region

• Engineering Geology and Applied Hydrogeology 

• Geoarchaeology and Forensic Geology

• Systematics and Evolution of NZ and other Southern Hemisphere Fossil Biotas

• Quaternary Paleoecology and paleoclimatology

• Initiation, processes and consequences of large rock avalanches

• Orbital or Thermal Causes of Glaciation in NZ

Much of the research in the department is of a collaborative nature involving staff or groups of staff working with postgraduate students, senior fellows and research associates within and outside the Department. 

There is significant external collaboration with international colleagues, local and federal government agencies, and other research institutions. 

This pattern of working has come about from the recognition that a multifaceted or multidisciplinary approach provides a more powerful tool for geological research. 

The pattern has also been strongly influenced by the change in funding mechanisms available in New Zealand and the trend towards programme-orientated research.