Science for Lunch talks
From deep-sea creatures to earthquake hazards, hear about the latest scientific discoveries in and around Aotearoa, straight from the experts.
Talks were held 9 May – 27 June 2018.
Going up or going down? Wellington in a big earthquake
Fault rupture, strong ground shaking, liquefaction, sinking, uplift, and landslides can all be major issues we face in large earthquakes. Explore these earthquake phenomenon with Russ Van Dissen, an earthquake specialist with extensive knowledge of the Wellington Fault and earthquake hazards in the Wellington region.
Recorded 9 May 2018.
The JOIDES Resolution and IODP expeditions in NZ waters, 2017-2018
The JOIDES Resolution, an international science research vessel, has been undertaking a series of expeditions over 18 months within New Zealand's marine realm. Hear expedition staff and uncover the latest in tectonics, earthquakes, climate change and undersea volcanoes.
Recorded 16 May 2018.
Measuring our CO2 emissions - why should we care?
Atmospheric carbon dioxide levels have topped 400ppm and are still rising – why should we care? Dr Jocelyn Turnbull, who leads a new program at GNS Science to measure and model CO2 emissions across a range of different scales, turns the microscope on the Wellington region to see how we stack up in terms of global CO2 pollution?
Recorded 23 May 2018.
The Brothers volcano
Four-hundred kilometres north-east of New Zealand and 1.8km beneath the waves lies one of the world's most exciting volcanoes for marine scientists. With vast fields of black-smoker chimneys up to 20m high, Brothers volcano offers scientists a remarkable window into the hydrothermal systems found in these regions and the impact they have on our world. Dr Cornel de Ronde discusses these amazing structures and takes you into their undersea world.
Recorded 30 May 2018.
Climate Change and the Antarctic Ice Core
The global sea level could rise 1 to 2 metres by 2100, and climate change is causing this dramatic acceleration. Nancy Bertler leads an international team using an ice core from Antarctica’s Ross Ice Shelf to understand climate conditions over the past 70,000 years. Hear Nancy discuss how the ice core is helping scientists to model future climate change.
Recorded 6 June 2018.
Life in the Extreme
A toxic environment with powerful deep-sea pressure, strong acids, and wildly swinging temperatures – the undersea Brothers Volcano doesn’t sound like a tempting place to call home. Yet life abounds there. How does this oasis flourish in the extreme? An expert on extremophiles uncovers what makes these creatures so resilient.
Recorded 13 June 2018.
Are we ready for a Wellington tsunami?
Tsunamis are an ever-present threat to coastal New Zealand. What would happen around Wellington Harbour if a tsunami hit? Dr William Power discusses the areas of high risk in Hutt City and Wellington City. He outlines initiatives to protect local communities and raise awareness about the danger of tsunamis.
Recorded 20 June 2018.
The JOIDES Resolution – virtual tour
Take a virtual visit on board the JOIDES Resolution, an international research ship. Recently researching the Hikurangi Subduction Zone – possibly the most important source of earthquakes and tsunamis in Aotearoa – the ship is now at Brothers Volcano. The JOIDES Resolution drills into the ocean floor to collect and study core samples. These give scientists insights into climate change, geology, and Earth’s history.
Recorded 27 June 2018.