Risks posed by geohazards to urban centres are constantly increasing, due to the continuous increase in population and associated infrastructure. A major risk to North Island urban centres is impacts from volcanic ashfall. This study analyses the vulnerabilities of selected New Zealand lifelines infrastructure to volcanic ash, to better understand and mitigate these risks. Telecommunications and wastewater networks are assessed, as is the vulnerability of Auckland Airport and grounded aircraft. The ability of vehicles to drive on ash covered roads is also tested, to determine the extent to which emergency services, utility providers and the public will be able to travel during and immediately after ashfall. Finally, air-conditioners have been identified as a significant vulnerability during ashfall, due to the high dependence on cooling for infrastructure and lifelines providers. These are examined to quantify the effects of ashfall on their performance. Each of the selected infrastructure types is assessed through a review of past impacts of ashfall, and experimentation either in the field or under laboratory conditions. Where appropriate, mitigation options that reduce identified vulnerabilities are considered. In most cases these options are operational rather than physical engineering solutions, and indicate pre-planning and response requirements. Key recommended mitigation options include the acquirement or strategic relocation of resources prior to ashfall, regular cleaning and maintenance of essential air conditioners during ashfall to enable their continued use, access to appropriate vehicles for utility providers to reach infrastructure, and discharge of untreated wastewater into Waitemata harbour at Orakei during ashfall on Auckland, to preserve the ability to continue treating wastewater at the Mangere treatment plant

Thesis (Ph. D. - Hydrology and Water Resources)--University of Arizona, 1985. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 182-187).

Thesis (Ph.D. - Hydrology and Water Resources)--University of Arizona. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 200-207).

Thesis (Ph.D. - Hydrology and Water Resources)--University of Arizona. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 248-255).

Thesis (M.S.)--University of Texas at El Paso, 2008. / Title from title screen. Vita. CD-ROM. Includes bibliographical references. Also available online.

Thesis (M.S.)--Oregon State University, 1992. / Includes map in pocket. Typescript (photocopy). Includes bibliographical references (leaves. Also available on the World Wide Web.

Thesis (M.S.)--Oregon State University, 1990. / Typescript (photocopy). Includes mounted photographs. Includes folded plates in pocket. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 377-396). Also available via the World Wide Web.

Thesis (M.S.)--University of Texas at El Paso, 2009. / Title from title screen. Vita. CD-ROM. Includes bibliographical references. Also available online.

Thesis (M.S.)--University of Oregon, 1998. / Typescript. Includes vita and abstract. CD-ROM contains SEM backscatter electron images for appendix B. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 183-186). Also available via the Internet.

The entire thesis text is included in the research.pdf file; the official abstract appears in the short.pdf file; a non-technical public abstract appears in the public.pdf file. Title from PDF of title page (University of Missouri--Columbia, viewed on October 5, 2009). Thesis advisor: Dr. Alan G. Whittington. Includes bibliographical references.