Project AF8 is teaming up with Civil Defence Emergency Management groups around the Southern Alps to deliver an exciting classroom experience, featuring the story of the Alpine Fault, the impacts and consequences of a future magnitude 8 earthquake, and how people can become better prepared for it.

The “AF8 Roadshow: The Science Beneath Our Feet” will tour the South Island for three weeks from 26 March until 13 April 2019.

It will visit schools and host public science talks, bringing together secondary students, communities, leading earthquake scientists and Civil Defence Emergency Management (CDEM) in a conversation about the Alpine Fault earthquake hazard.

Public events are being held in 12 communities along the length of the Alpine Fault, with leading scientists talking about the work they do and sharing their science.

The Science Beneath Our Feet builds on AF8’s extensive science outreach programme and collaborative approach to preparedness, extending this engagement to schools and communities in areas identified by the AF8 Scenario as most likely to be affected by an AF8 event.

AF8 Science-lead, Dr. Caroline Orchiston says “While we can’t predict when earthquakes will occur, scientific research has shown that the Alpine Fault has a history of generating regular, large earthquakes. The next major Alpine Fault event is likely to occur within the lifetime of most of us, or of our children and young people, for whom this is likely to have major short and long-term impacts.

“It is vital that communities not just understand the geology underneath their feet but also what science has to say about how to respond in the event of a large earthquake occurring, so we can prepare and take action.”

AF8 Coordinator, Alice Lake-Hammond says “We will be visiting 12 communities around the South Island and while we can’t visit everyone this time around, we plan to livestream some of the talks to our Facebook page and hope to be able to take the Roadshow to other communities in the future.

“Over the past two and half years, the AF8 project has brought together a wealth of research information about the Alpine Fault hazard and its associated impacts, and the Roadshow is one way we can share this information directly with those most likely to be affected by the next Alpine Fault earthquake.

“While we can’t predict earthquakes, we can prepare for them. By sharing AF8’s research, the Roadshow aims to equip South Island communities with Alpine Fault science and hazard impact information relevant to them and their region.”

Project AF8 is a collaboration between all the South Island’s Civil Defence Emergency Management Groups, scientists and partner agencies. It is aimed at improving knowledge of, readiness for and a collective resilience to a magnitude 8 earthquake on the Alpine Fault. It has been funded by the Ministry of Civil Defence & Emergency Management and Resilience to Nature’s Challenges.

The full AF8 Roadshow itinerary is available online: https://projectaf8.co.nz/af8-roadshow/

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