GNS Science, Te Pū Ao, is New Zealand’s leading provider of earth, geoscience and isotope research and consultancy services. Its purpose is to understand natural earth system processes and resources, and to translate these into economic, environmental and social benefits.

Through BLAKE’s partnership with GNS Science, two young New Zealanders will be given the opportunity to take part in their joint GNS Science & Beneath the Waves research to map the magma systems beneath Whakaari/White Island and Tuhua/Mayor Island.

Further information about the 2023/24 programme is outlined below.

 

BLAKE GNS Ambassador – Volcanic Hazards
2 positions available
27 March – 11 April 2024 (2 weeks).

Beneath the Waves is a 5 year MBIE Endeavour research programme, investigating volcanic hazards from our near shore volcanoes Whakaari/White Island and Tuhua/Mayor Island. We are investigating the likelihood of volcanic sourced tsunamis from these island and what the impact may be on coastal Bay of Plenty. As part of this programme, we are running a series of voyages on the R/V Tangaroa to undertake deployments of geophysical instruments and sample sediment cores in the Bay of Plenty. These voyages are 2 to 3 weeks duration and our next scheduled voyages are 12-25 October 2023 and 27 March to 11 April 2024. There is an opportunity for up to 2 Blake Ambassadors to join us. We are seeking ambassadors with an interest in earth science, natural hazards, volcanoes and tsunamis. The Ambassadors will participate in the voyage working with scientists from GNS Science, NZ and Scripps Oceanographic Institute, USA. The purpose of the voyages is to deploy marine magnetotelluric (MT) instruments around the islands to map the magma systems beneath the islands. In addition we are undertaking towed geophysical surveys using controlled source EM, self potential and magnetic data, to image the shallow structure of the volcanoes, looking for weakened rocks that may pose a risk for tsunami should they collapse. The ambassadors will assist in the deployment and recovery of instruments and initial assessment and quality control of the data, getting a hands on experience of life on a scientific research voyage.

https://www.beneaththewaves.org.nz/