About DEVORA

Elaine Smid

DEVORA is a multi-agency, transdisciplinary, collaborative research programme led by volcanologists at Waipapa Taumata Rau the University of Auckland and Earth Sciences New Zealand.

Within our programme, we work to:

  1. Build capability that allows stakeholders and funding partners access to a strong pool of expertise on volcanic risk in Auckland.
  2. Have a strong ongoing partnership with Māori, that supports Māori aspirations.
  3. Maintain strong linkages, connections and information sharing within the natural hazard and resilience research and practice sector.

We are funded by the Natural Hazards Commission Toka Tū Ake and Auckland Council.

Launched in 2008, the DEVORA Programme brings together experts from across New Zealand and beyond to provide a much-improved assessment of volcanic hazard and risk in the Auckland metropolitan area, and a strategy and rationale for appropriate risk mitigation.

DEVORA researchers work with Auckland Emergency Management to incorporate findings into policy, and with lifelines organisations and businesses to improve their resilience to volcanic threats.

DEVORA researchers setting up field equipment on the ground at a research site
Meegan Soulsby

Our research focuses on:

  • Gathering data to explain how, why, and how often and how fast magma moves to the surface in the Auckland Volcanic Field.
  • Studying past eruptions (timing, size, location, volcanic deposits) to recognise patterns, likely eruption precursors, and to identify the biggest threats to Auckland from future eruptions and other related hazards.
  • Compiling information on Auckland’s built and social environment to understand how an eruption would affect Auckland and the rest of New Zealand.
  • Creating practical knowledge that informs emergency managers and lifeline organisations on how best to make life-saving decisions before, during, and after an eruption.
  • Investigating how best to present our findings to other scientists, stakeholders, and the public.

Our goals

Our research helps ensure:

  • Local government, businesses, and other agencies use robust physical and social science to make informed decisions about volcanic risk.
  • Volcanic hazard models are accessible, easily updated and widely used to inform impact and risk assessments.
  • The diverse Auckland public is aware of local and distant volcanic hazards, trust our scientists, and can make risk-informed decisions.
  • Authoritative, rapidly distributed information is available during a crisis.
Lucy McGee, in a hard hat and high-visibility vest, taking notes in the field beside an exposed rock face

Opportunities

DEVORA sometimes provides opportunities for researchers or aspiring students at Masters and Doctorate levels. Currently there are no such openings.

Contact us