Earthquakes, volcanoes, tsunamis, landslides: the forces that shape our world
26 May 2026 - 26 May 2026
6:15–7:30 pm
Region(s): Wellington
Type(s): presentations
The Curious Society presents this talk in Wellington. Aotearoa New Zealand sits on one of the most geologically active patches of land on Earth – and that's what makes it extraordinary.
In this talk, Alex Thomas-Long – Earth Sciences New Zealand Analyst and Shift Leader at New Zealand's National Geohazards Monitoring Centre – pulls back the curtain on the forces constantly reshaping our landscape. With a BSc in Geology and over seven years of hands-on experience, Alex brings the technical and human side of geohazard monitoring to life.
We'll explore how scientists track earthquakes, volcanic activity, tsunamis and landslides in real time, what happens behind the scenes when a big one hits, and how this work helps build resilience for the people of Aotearoa.
Whether you've felt a late-night wobble and wondered who noticed, or you're just curious about what's happening beneath your feet – this talk will leave you with a sharper, more grounded understanding of the land we call home.
Location: Hanging Ditch, 14 Leeds Street, Wellington
For more information and to reserve a seat: www.eventbrite.co.nz/e/the-curious-society-presents-the-forces-that-shape-our-world-tickets-1988816916936.
Related content
The Hub is inundated with natural hazards resources – check out the introductory articles on: Earthquakes, On shaky ground (primary), Volcanoes and Tsunamis to see some of our many resources, including articles, activities, video and more.
Under our PLD Planning section, there is both an earthquake and a volcano planning pathway article. These each comprise of an article and interactive that provide pedagogical advice and organise Hub resources into key science concepts and topics.
Alternatively, see our earthquakes, volcanoes or tsunami topics – remember you can use the filters to focus the results for your needs.
Disaster response activity ideas
For activities directly linked to disaster responses, check out: Who's on your team? and Home disaster kit.
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