Part 3: Work Programs

Geohazards Division

• Introduction
• Earth monitoring group (GEM) work program
• Risk research group work program

Introduction

Geohazards Division is responsible for the following two work programs.
1. Earth monitoring group work program.
2. Risk research group work program.

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1. Earth monitoring group (GEM) work program

This group makes synoptic Earth observations that contribute to a global understanding of the Earth and its systems. Earthquake activity in the Australian region is monitored as input to an alert system for emergency management and for the assessment of earthquake hazard. A network of seismic, infrasound and hydroacoustic stations monitor global nuclear activity as part of Australia's commitment to the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty. The geomagnetic field in the Australian region is monitored as input to space weather and communications warnings of geomagnetic activity, and for magnetic compass navigation applications.

The Group also uses a range of space geodetic techniques to maintain the geodetic framework that supports all spatial information and associated applications in Australia and its offshore territories. The infrastructure facilitates, through international cooperation, millimetre precision for scientific research in fields such as neotectonics and earthquake risk, groundwater monitoring, sea level monitoring and climate change.

The group contributes to the following GA intermediate level outcomes:

• Improved resource management and environmental protection; and
• Safer communities and infrastructure.

The group contributes to the following National Research Priority goals:

• An environmentally sustainable Australia; and
• Safe-guarding Australia.

The Geoscience Australia Earth Monitoring Group manages the following projects.
i. Geodetic Operations.
ii. Space Geodesy and Geomagnetism.
iii. Integrated Geophysical Networks.
iv. Nuclear Monitoring.
v. Rabaul Volcanological Observatory Twinning Program.

1.i Geodetic operations

This project provides ongoing maintenance and improvement for the geodetic infrastructure of Australia and its territories by continually monitoring the geophysical condition of the Australian continent and offshore territories, including provision of the geodetic framework for national spatial data infrastructure. This is necessary to ensure that the geodetic infrastructure underpinning Australia's spatial framework meets the evolving needs of science and the Australian community.

Project outcome

An improved globally related geodetic framework for science and as the basis for compatible geospatial information in Australia and its territories.

Project output

1) Enhanced Geodetic InfrastructureGPS OperationsSatellite Laser RangingSouth Pacific Regional GPS network.

1.ii Space geodesy and geomagnetism

This project undertakes data processing and analysis of multiple space geodetic techniques and absolute gravity for the maintenance and enhancement of global, regional and national geodetic infrastructure. The infrastructure is used for downstream research by the project in areas such as neotectonics and sea level monitoring. Variations in the Earth's magnetic field are monitored for input to space weather warnings and for applications such as magnetic compass navigation and mineral exploration.

Project outcome

Accurate, consistent, globally compatible, continuously monitored and accessible celestial and terrestrial reference frames and their mutual relationships; an improved understanding of the neotectonics of the Australian continent; greater understanding of the impacts of climate change in the Australian region through sea level monitoring; Geomagnetic data for space weather warnings, and robust models of the secular variation in the Earth's magnetic field for industrial and science applications.

Project output

1) Reference Frames and Earth Orientation Parameters as input to the Australian Geodetic Infrastructure.
2) Geodetic support for the South Pacific Sea Level Monitoring and Climate Change Program.
3) Absolute Gravity support for the Australian Geodetic Infrastructure.
4) Geodetic Monitoring of Groundwater and Hazards.
5) Geomagnetic monitoring operations for industrial applications, hazard mitigation and navigation.

1.iii Geophysical networks

This project provides on-going maintenance and development of the 66 seismic, geomagnetic, hydroacoustic and infrasound monitoring network stations that underpin nuclear monitoring and hazard assessment in the Australian region. $295,000 of the external funding for this project is for supporting Nuclear Monitoring activities (see Nuclear Monitoring project).

Project outcome

Improved seismic, geomagnetic, hydroacoustic and infrasound monitoring networks that provide cost-effective, high quality data in a timely fashion that is suitable for hazard assessment and nuclear monitoring purposes.

Project output

1) Ongoing provision of high quality seismic, geomagnetic, hydroacoustic and infrasound data.

1.iv Nuclear monitoring

This project monitors nuclear explosions worldwide on behalf of the Dept. of Foreign Affairs and Trade following a 1984 government decision. In 1996, Australia signed the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT) and ratified the Treaty in 1998. As part of the ratification process new legislation had to be passed and a new Act, the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Act 1998 was passed. The Nuclear Monitoring project fulfils Australia's obligations under the CTBT through monitoring nuclear explosions worldwide and strengthening Australia's commitment to the global verification system. Note that an additional $295,000 of external funds goes to the Geophysical Networks project to provide operational and maintenance support for the Nuclear Monitoring project.

Project outcome

Enhanced Australia's national technical means to monitor nuclear explosions worldwide and strengthened Australian commitment to the establishment of the global verification system to monitor future compliance to the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty.

Project output

1) Technical advice and information for the Departments of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Prime Minister and Cabinet and Defence, Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization (CTBTO), media and the public, to meet Australian national technical means requirements and obligations to the CTBT.

2) Developed enhanced discrimination procedures for Australia and the international community to improve Australia's capability to discriminate nuclear explosions. This involves research and development of applications in seismic, hydroacoustic and infrasound technologies.

3) Nuclear monitoring data for funding and collaborative agencies.

1.v Rabaul vocanological observatory twinning program 2003-2008

This project provides service and support to the Rabaul Volcanological Observatory (Fully funded AusAID Project).

Project outcome

Reduction of the impact of volcanic hazards on Papua New Guinean communities through the provision of effective volcano monitoring capabilities.

Project output

1) A high rate of data flow and improved security at 4 remote volcano monitoring sites.
2) Installation of new generation of monitoring equipment at RVO remote sites.

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2. Risk research group work program

The Risk Research Group conducts applied research into the risks to Australia from sudden-impact hazards, particularly earthquake, tsunami, flood (riverine and storm surge) severe wind (tropical cyclone and severe storm), landslide, and, more recently, bushfire and counter terrorism. Of these hazards, the Group conducts basic research into the origin and consequences of earthquakes and landslides; whereas for other hazards the Group relies in part on basic data and hazard parameters from other agencies (e.g., the Bureau of Meteorology) for input to hazard and risk model development. The Group has a breadth of technical expertise in the geosciences, civil engineering, mathematics, socio-economics, computer programming, GIS and database engineering.

This group's activities contribute to the following National Research Priority goals:

• Safe-guarding Australia; and
• An environmentally sustainable Australia.

The Risk Research Group manages the following projects.
i. National Risk Assessment.
ii. Risk Assessment Methods.
iii. Earthquake Hazard and Neotectonics.
iv. Critical Infrastructure Protection.

2.i National risk assessments

This project assists the delivery of a national risk assessment program to implement natural disaster Reform Commitments 1 and 2, agreed to in-principle by the Council of Australian Governments in 2003. The risk assessment program includes development of methods, tools, risk assessments and data collection. Reform Commitments 1 and 2, among other recommendations, are implemented through the Disaster Mitigation Australia Package coordinated by DOTARS. This project is undertaken in close collaboration with whole of government agencies and non-government organisations.

Project outcome

Australian communities and infrastructure are safer because of prioritised, cost effective mitigation measures, introduced as a consequence of the risk assessment program.

Project output

1) An agreed National Risk Assessment Framework in consultation with stakeholders.
2) Initial reports on National Assessments of Risks from major, sudden impact natural hazards.
3) Final reports and databases for multi-hazard risk assessments in Cities Project, Perth.

2.ii Risk assessment methods

This project aims to bring together natural hazard research and the vulnerability of the elements at risk in order to define the national threat from a range of rapid onset natural hazards.

Project outcome

The application risk assessment models, methods and tools to support funding and mitigation decisions across all levels of government in support of the Disaster Mitigation Australia Package.

Project output

1) National Risk Model Development.
2) Computational Framework for Risk Assessments.
3) Loss and Vulnerability Model Development.

2.iii Earthquake hazard and neotectonics

This project provides the Australian government and public with accurate and timely information on past, current, and probability of future occurrence of earthquakes in and around Australia.

Project outcomes

1) Improved response of emergency managers and disaster relief authorities to earthquakes and tsunami events in the Australian region.
2) Development and improvement of earthquake and tsunami hazard assessments for Australia.
3) High quality fundamental data supporting earthquake hazard assessment in Australia.

Project output

1) Earthquake alerts and implementation of new earthquake monitoring and analysis software to improve data quality and efficiency of service.

2) Development and improvement of earthquake and tsunami hazard assessments for Australia, based on an improved Australian earthquake catalog as well as on the results of research into the earthquake mechanism and earthquake and tsunami events prior to European settlement of Australia.

3) Ensuring that the fundamental data supporting earthquake hazard assessment in Australia, such as earthquake strong motion data and ground motion attenuation models, is of a quality that meets international standards and is readily accessible to the Australian earthquake engineering community.

2.iv Critical infrastructure protection

This project provides spatial information, risk analysis and modelling capability to support national initiatives in CIP.

Project outcome

Improved understanding of the vulnerability of the built environment, particularly critical infrastructure, through development of geographic information, knowledge and analysis in a risk assessment framework.

Project output

1) A preliminary analysis tools/methods for a national CIP risk assessment framework.
2) A pilot CIP Case Study (in NSW).
3) Geospatial training, tools and data to support.