IN BRIEF MINING THE DATA Growing demand for advanced computing techniques to support next generation research has prompted NIWA to establish a new data science team. Researchers are increasingly turning to advanced data capabilities to help analyse the rapidly-growing wave of information flowing in from NIWA’s environmental monitoring networks. The new data experts will work within the Technology and Innovation Group, with a particular focus on machine learning, artificial intelligence, optical recognition and digital twin technologies.
Lana Young
The eight-strong team will be supported by NIWA’s existing High Performance Computing Facility and integrate data science across the climate, freshwater and marine research programmes.
DEEP DOWNLOAD A state-of-the-art remotely operated vehicle (ROV) has recovered new data about New Zealand’s largest earthquake fault from the seabed off the North Island’s east coast. The three-tonne Canadian ROV was deployed from NIWA’s research vessel Tangaroa, as part of a joint NIWA, GNS Science and University of Washington investigation.
The platforms have been continuously recording movement and slow slip earthquakes along the subduction zone for the past two years, and their data will provide fresh insight into the region’s seismic activity.
Rod Budd
The ROV successfully downloaded data along the Hikurangi subduction zone from equipment on two observation platforms installed 400m below the sea surface.
UNDER WE GO NIWA’s scientific divers successfully completed 2,471 dives in the past 12 months, spending a total of 42,593 minutes – or almost 30 days – underwater. NIWA has one of the largest specialist dive teams in New Zealand with 39 divers working across the marine and freshwater research platforms.
Lana Young
Operations range throughout New Zealand, as far north as the Kermadec Islands, down to expeditions under the ice in Antarctica.
www.niwa.co.nz
A large proportion of the work involves ecological monitoring, along with ongoing biosecurity surveys checking for invasive pests and plants in harbours, ports, rivers and lakes. August 2021
Water & Atmosphere
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