Nationally consistent risk information
A single framework for understanding volcanic impacts across places, sectors, and decision contexts.
About the National Volcano Model
The National Volcano Model is a public-facing framework for understanding volcanic hazards, impacts, and risk across Aotearoa New Zealand. It is intended to support planning, preparedness, and resilience by making complex science more accessible and decision-relevant.
Why it matters
Volcanic eruptions can have consequences that extend far beyond the immediate vicinity of a volcano, affecting transport, power, water, businesses, communities, and public services. A nationally consistent model helps users compare impacts, identify vulnerabilities, and plan ahead.
Consistent national view
Provides a common basis for comparing impacts across regions and scenarios.
From hazard to consequences
Connects volcanic processes to likely impacts on buildings, infrastructure, and communities.
Designed to evolve
The platform can expand over time to include additional assets, hazards, and analytical products.
Leadership
The National Volcano Model is led through a collaborative partnership, bringing together expertise in volcanic hazard, impact, and risk modelling.
Dr Josh Hayes
Co-lead, National Volcano Model
Earth Sciences New Zealand
Dr James Williams
Co-lead, National Volcano Model
University of Canterbury
Partners
The NVM is being developed with input from partners and collaborators.
- Earth Sciences New Zealand
- University of Canterbury
- Massey University
- University of Auckland
- Natural Hazards Commission
Research themes
Hazard
Probabilistic volcanic hazard modelling
Characterising eruption scenarios and hazard footprints in a way that supports national-scale comparison.
Impact
Impact and vulnerability modelling
Linking volcanic hazards to expected consequences for buildings, infrastructure, and communities.
Risk
Decision-focused risk products
Translating technical outputs into material that informs resilience planning and operational discussions.
Latest updates
Project news, publications, workshops, and data releases.
Dataset
Probabilistic hazard dataset released
Datasets will be added as and when they become available.
Workshop
Stakeholder engagement
Much of our work is co-developed with stakeholder input. We will update here with any important workshops.
Publication
New research outputs
Papers, technical reports, and short summaries.
Library and resources
Resources to be added soon!
Reports
Technical reports
Method documentation, scoping papers, project summaries, and implementation notes.
Data
Datasets
Hazard layers, summary outputs, and metadata for public-facing releases.
Publications
Papers and articles
Peer-reviewed outputs and accessible summaries for different audiences.
Tools
Technical resources
Guides, workflows, visualisations, and links to tools or code where appropriate.
Contact
Get in touch
Use this form to ask about the model, collaboration opportunities, public-facing resources, or technical outputs.
- General enquiries
- Research and collaboration discussions
- Requests about datasets or outputs