Resilience Scanner

Wellington Fault Rupture Infrastructure Outage Visualization Tool

Solution Overview

A web-based visualization tool was developed to enable end users to understand infrastructure outages that would occur across the Wellington region following a rupture of the Wellington fault.[1] This approach integrates geographic information system analysis with economic modeling to translate seismic hazard scenarios into accessible visual formats for decision-makers and stakeholders. The system addresses the critical need for communicating complex infrastructure vulnerability information in an earthquake-prone urban environment.

Technical Components

The platform employs GIS analysis to generate outage information and spatial visualizations.[2][3][4] Technical inputs to the MERIT model include temporal data measured in days, spatial data organized by meshblock geographic units, and service level data indicating binary on or off states for infrastructure systems.[2][3][4] This data architecture enables the system to process fault rupture scenarios and translate them into granular outage predictions across Wellington's infrastructure networks.

Climate Adaptation Relevance

This tool directly addresses seismic hazards facing Wellington by enabling visualization of infrastructure system failures following a major earthquake event. The approach supports climate adaptation planning by helping stakeholders understand cascading infrastructure vulnerabilities and restoration timelines in the context of Wellington's high seismic risk environment.

Sources