Atmosphere

World class research contributing to our understanding of greenhouse gases, ozone depletion, and urban air pollution.

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    What is the greenhouse effect?

    Education Resource
    The greenhouse effect is a warming of the earth's surface and lower atmosphere caused by substances which let the sun's energy through to the ground but impede the passage of energy from the earth back into space.
  • UV index signage at Lauder

    UV Index Information

    The UV Index is a measure of the intensity of UV radiation. The larger the number, the more intense the UV. In New Zealand, its maximum summer value is generally about 12, but it can exceed 13 in the far North. In winter it reaches peak values of 1 or 2. Values of 10 or more should be considered as "extreme". At high altitude tropical sites (eg Mauna Loa Observatory, Hawaii), the UV Index can exceed 20.The UV Index supersedes the idea of "Time to Burn" or "Burn Time", which has been used previously in New Zealand.
  • 2014 UV Workshop

    Presented papers, arranged by workshop programme.
  • Publicly available data and publications

    Facility
    NIWA makes available and regularly updates results from several greenhouse gas measurement projects.
  • UV Index at Leigh - 16 October 2023

    Yesterday's UV Index

    Plots of UV levels throughout the day at different locations.
  • Carbon dioxide

    Facility
    Atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) is measured continuously at Baring Head, providing the longest running record of this type in the Southern hemisphere.
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    Reports

    Reports produced by NIWA’s air quality research.
  • Front and rear views of a Mark I dosimeter badge. [NIWA]

    Personal UV Dosimeters

    NIWA has developed personal UV dosimeter badges to support studies relating UV exposure to human health.
  • Methane

    Facility
    Methane (CH4) is the second most important greenhouse gas after CO2 that is produced by human activities.
  • High Performance Computing Facility

    Facility
    The High Performance Computing Facility (HPCF) is supercharging New Zealand science—powering scientists working at the forefront of New Zealand’s greatest science challenges.
  • UV Atlas

    More information about NIWA's UV Atlas
  • Estimating design wind speeds in complex terrain

    Research Project
    The current method for calculating wind speed-up is inadequate, and can grossly under-predict correct design wind speeds in NZ's complex terrain.