Research Strategy
EQC will fund research that contributes to one or more of the following four research themes and associated topic areas.
The listed themes and topics have been derived from a review of EQC’s historical research investments, consideration of global trends in natural hazard risk research and risk pricing, and feedback from researchers and end-users attending forums and planning workshops, sponsored by EQC and other agencies.
While the listed topics indicate the preferred content of a research programme to assist EQC’s strategic aims, this should not be viewed as a rigid prescription for individual projects.
1. Hazard source characterization
Objective: To improve the detection and characterization of geological hazards, for accurate assessment of likelihood, magnitude and vulnerabilities, by means of:
- Integrated analysis of geological, geodetic and seismological data to improve physical constraints on the modeling of seismic and volcanic interactions
- Remote sensing and advanced computer analysis of geospatial data for early warning and modeling of hazard impacts.
- Accurate recurrence models of slow and fast earthquakes, local and regional tsunamis, volcanic eruptions and landslip hazards
- New techniques for analysis of ground, water and air conditions that influence the local intensity and effect of geological hazards.
- Accurate warnings of volcanic or tsunami threats, and reduced risk of missed warnings or costly false warnings.
2. Time varying hazard and risk assessment
Objective: To improve the scientific basis for hazard forecasting and the pricing of New Zealand risks, by means of:
- Improved short and long term hazard forecast models
- Consistent integration of theoretical, empirical and statistical models
- Evidence-based understanding of hazard event precursors
- New hazard forecast testing methodologies
- Quantifying uncertainties in probabilistic hazard assessment models
- Rigorous testing of time-dependent loss models.
3. Advanced engineering solutions
Objective: Technologies and decision support tools to improve risk performance in the built environment and the public processes for establishing safety goals, by means of:
- Sustainable infrastructure planning, design and construction practices
- Multiple-hazard retrofit technologies and strategies for infrastructure protection, and building safety
- Testing methodologies for early warning systems
- Robust conceptual models of community recovery processes
- Improved design processes for public safety planning
- New approaches to evaluate the effectiveness of mitigation efforts.
4. Disaster readiness and recovery
Objective: Improved understanding of the socioeconomic consequences of hazards and the measures required to reduce the vulnerability of New Zealand communities, by means of:
- Effective risk communication
- Evidence-based understanding of risk subsidization, transfer and adjustment
- Benefit/cost studies of alternative risk adjustment strategies
- New or improved methods to speed implementation of mitigation tools at individual and community level.