title: New Zealand Community Fault Model – version 1.0.

authors: Seebeck, H

abstract: Fault models developed by the scientific community aim to provide a consistent and broadly agreed-upon representation of faults in a region for such societally important endeavours as seismic hazard assessment (e.g. national seismic hazard models), strong ground-motion predictions and physics-based fault systems modelling. The New Zealand Community Fault Model (NZ CFM) is a two- and three-dimensional representation of fault zones associated with the New Zealand plate boundary for which Quaternary activity has been established (or deemed probable) and are, in the main, considered capable of producing moderate- to large-magnitude earthquakes. The NZ CFM builds on the Active Fault Model of New Zealand (Litchfield et al. 2013, 2014), updates that model through science community engagement and input and extends the updated faults from the surface to seismogenic depths. A nominal compilation scale of 1:500,000– 1:1,000,000 was chosen to provide representative surface fault traces consistent with finer-scale representations, such as the New Zealand Active Faults Database. Faults in the model are defined based on criteria that include surface geology, seismicity, seismic reflection profiles, bores and geologic cross-sections. The first edition of the NZ CFM (v1.0) is populated from 36.0 to 49.8° S and from 163.5° E to 179.0° W and comprises two principal datasets. The first dataset is a two-dimensional (2D) map representation of active (or potentially active) fault zone traces. This 2D fault zone representation contains information on the geometric and kinematic attributes of each fault zone or fault zone segment as expressed on the ground surface. Generalised estimates of geometric (dip and dip direction), kinematic (sense of movement, rake and net slip rate) and slip rate timeframe parameters have been provided for most fault zones, along with assigned uncertainties. In addition, a ‘Quality Code’ provides an indication of the quantity and type of data available for each fault zone, weighted toward the quality of the slip-rate data. The second dataset is a three-dimensional (3D) triangulated mesh surface representation of the fault zones in the model. However, there are some important differences between the 2D and 3D fault zone models; in particular, major fault zone intersections and subduction plate interfaces. NZ CFM v1.0 is publicly available from the GNS website. The NZ CFM v1.0 data package includes ArcGIS and QGIS projects and shapefiles of the 2D fault zone model, a MOVE project and triangulated surfaces for the 3D fault zone model, tabulated fault zone parameters and documentation.

text: New Zealand Community Fault Model – version 1.0. Fault models developed by the scientific community aim to provide a consistent and broadly agreed-upon representation of faults in a region for such societally important endeavours as seismic hazard assessment (e.g. national seismic hazard models), strong ground-motion predictions and physics-based fault systems modelling. The New Zealand Community Fault Model (NZ CFM) is a two- and three-dimensional representation of fault zones associated with the New Zealand plate boundary for which Quaternary activity has been established (or deemed probable) and are, in the main, considered capable of producing moderate- to large-magnitude earthquakes. The NZ CFM builds on the Active Fault Model of New Zealand (Litchfield et al. 2013, 2014), updates that model through science community engagement and input and extends the updated faults from the surface to seismogenic depths. A nominal compilation scale of 1:500,000– 1:1,000,000 was chosen to provide representative surface fault traces consistent with finer-scale representations, such as the New Zealand Active Faults Database. Faults in the model are defined based on criteria that include surface geology, seismicity, seismic reflection profiles, bores and geologic cross-sections. The first edition of the NZ CFM (v1.0) is populated from 36.0 to 49.8° S and from 163.5° E to 179.0° W and comprises two principal datasets. The first dataset is a two-dimensional (2D) map representation of active (or potentially active) fault zone traces. This 2D fault zone representation contains information on the geometric and kinematic attributes of each fault zone or fault zone segment as expressed on the ground surface. Generalised estimates of geometric (dip and dip direction), kinematic (sense of movement, rake and net slip rate) and slip rate timeframe parameters have been provided for most fault zones, along with assigned uncertainties. In addition, a ‘Quality Code’ provides an indication of the quantity and type of data available for each fault zone, weighted toward the quality of the slip-rate data. The second dataset is a three-dimensional (3D) triangulated mesh surface representation of the fault zones in the model. However, there are some important differences between the 2D and 3D fault zone models; in particular, major fault zone intersections and subduction plate interfaces. NZ CFM v1.0 is publicly available from the GNS website. The NZ CFM v1.0 data package includes ArcGIS and QGIS projects and shapefiles of the 2D fault zone model, a MOVE project and triangulated surfaces for the 3D fault zone model, tabulated fault zone parameters and documentation.

year: 2022-05-23

title: Randomising block sizes for BlockCopy-based wind farm layout optimisation

authors: Mayo, Michael

subjects: computer science

abstract: The BlockCopy stochastic local search algorithm is a state-of-the-art optimiser for the Wind Farm Layout Optimisation problem. Unlike many other metaheuristics-based optimisers, BlockCopy requires the specification of only one key parameter, namely a block size. In this paper, we investigate the effect on different block sizes on the optimisation results. Using standard benchmarks for the Wind Farm Layout Optimisation problem, we show that smaller fixed block sizes (relative to overall layout size) produce better optimised layouts than larger fixed block sizes. More interestingly, we also show that randomising the block size parameter results in optimisation performance at the same or a better level than that produced by the best algorithm with a fixed block size. Effectively, this means that the user can ignore the need to tune the block size parameter and simply randomise it instead. Such a strategy results in what is effectively a parameterless, but none-the-less effective, optimisation algorithm for the Wind Farm Layout Optimisation problem.

text: Randomising block sizes for BlockCopy-based wind farm layout optimisation The BlockCopy stochastic local search algorithm is a state-of-the-art optimiser for the Wind Farm Layout Optimisation problem. Unlike many other metaheuristics-based optimisers, BlockCopy requires the specification of only one key parameter, namely a block size. In this paper, we investigate the effect on different block sizes on the optimisation results. Using standard benchmarks for the Wind Farm Layout Optimisation problem, we show that smaller fixed block sizes (relative to overall layout size) produce better optimised layouts than larger fixed block sizes. More interestingly, we also show that randomising the block size parameter results in optimisation performance at the same or a better level than that produced by the best algorithm with a fixed block size. Effectively, this means that the user can ignore the need to tune the block size parameter and simply randomise it instead. Such a strategy results in what is effectively a parameterless, but none-the-less effective, optimisation algorithm for the Wind Farm Layout Optimisation problem.

year: 2016

title: Differential trends in the compression of mortality: Assessing the antecedents to current gaps in health expectancy in New Zealand

authors: Pool, Ian

subjects: New Zealand

abstract: Health Expectancies (HEs) for New Zealand show significant differentials between Maori and non-Maori, but also by gender and period. These differentials correlate with findings from both generation and synthetic life-tables relating to New Zealand’s epidemiologic transition. At the beginning of that transition quartile 1 (Q(1)), and Median (Med) d(x) values were close and centred at young ages; during the transition the gap became very wide; at the transition’s end the gap again narrowed. Cohort and synthetic trends in d(x), l(x), M, Qs and Meds are reviewed and linked to recent HEs. Data point to epidemic polarisation. Cohort analysis allows the evaluation of the role of past experiences on the recent HEs, and thus point to possible strategies for reducing gaps in both d(x), and HEs.

text: Differential trends in the compression of mortality: Assessing the antecedents to current gaps in health expectancy in New Zealand Health Expectancies (HEs) for New Zealand show significant differentials between Maori and non-Maori, but also by gender and period. These differentials correlate with findings from both generation and synthetic life-tables relating to New Zealand’s epidemiologic transition. At the beginning of that transition quartile 1 (Q(1)), and Median (Med) d(x) values were close and centred at young ages; during the transition the gap became very wide; at the transition’s end the gap again narrowed. Cohort and synthetic trends in d(x), l(x), M, Qs and Meds are reviewed and linked to recent HEs. Data point to epidemic polarisation. Cohort analysis allows the evaluation of the role of past experiences on the recent HEs, and thus point to possible strategies for reducing gaps in both d(x), and HEs.

year: 2009