Managing our Environment

Natural Hazards

Natural hazards are naturally occurring events that have the potential to threaten people, property, or infrastructure. Examples of natural hazards are earthquakes, floods, and landslides.

Our Natural Hazards Database is an interactive tool that allows you to view the information we hold on natural hazards in the Otago region. We assess Otago’s natural hazards to determine the areas they could affect, who and what is exposed, and their level of risk.

Some hazards, such as flooding, happen quite often, while others are rare (for example, Tsunami and large earthquakes).

We work with communities to make people more aware of natural hazards, so they can reduce the level of risk they face. We also work with Otago’s district and city councils to manage natural hazards through collaborative projects and district planning.

Flooding

We identify areas at risk of flooding from rivers and lakes around Otago. Read more

Extreme Weather

Otago's weather spans the spectrum from hot dry summers to long, cold winters. These extremes can present challenges to those of us who live here. Read more

Coastal Erosion

Coastal erosion is the wearing away of land and beach sediments by waves, tidal currents, drainage or high winds. Read more

Storm Surge

A storm surge is a higher than normal sea level, due to changes in barometric pressures and wind, which can result in inundation of roads and coastal property over an extended period. Read more

Tsunami

A tsunami is a series of waves caused when a large mass of earth on the bottom of the ocean suddenly drops or rises, rapidly displacing the water above it. Read more

Earthquakes

Earthquakes occurring both within Otago and beyond its boundary can affect people and property within the region. Read more

Landslides

The term landslide describes a wide range of ground movements, such as rockfalls, deep failure of slopes, shallow debris-slides, and flows. We hold information on known landslides in the region. Read more

Alluvial Fans

An alluvial fan is an accumulation of river or stream (alluvial) sediments that form where streams emerge from hill country onto a valley floor. Alluvial fans can be formed by several geomorphic processes, which become hazards when they intersect people, property or infrastructure. Read more

Otago Natural Hazards Database

Our hazards database is intended to improve public access to hazard information and to help the public, local authorities, and others make informed decisions about their exposure to natural hazards. Read more

By area

South Dunedin

South Dunedin is an important part of Dunedin City. It’s a vibrant and diverse community that tens of thousands call home. Otago Regional Council has been collecting and analysing information about the natural hazards faced by South Dunedin. Read more

Head of Lake Whakatipu

The landscape at the head of Lake Whakatipu is made up of the mountains, streams, floodplains and large rivers feeding into the lake – this magnificent natural setting makes the area an attractive place to live in or visit. However, it also means that this area is exposed to many natural hazard risks. Read more

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Managing our Environment