In 2004, the GeoNet project operated by GNS Science implemented an 

internet-based questionnaire. Its aim was to provide an automatic intensity assignment in New Zealand’s Modified Mercalli (MM) intensity scale based on answers to a set of standardized questions. The devastating Darfield (4 September 2010, Mw=7.1) earthquake and its two main aftershocks (22 February 2011, Mw=6.2 and 13 June 2011, Mw=6.0) 

have shown how well-known these reports have been to the public, with nearly 15,000 reports completed. For these shocks, nearly 600 reports have been assigned with MM intensity values of 8 or above, indicating major earthquake damage and the need for a detailed analysis of the damage, building by building. This huge amount of invaluable information has served as a way of testing the methodology and provided a check for any further required information. The usability of the web interface is also being reviewed to remedy common mistakes and to adopt concepts common in other online questionnaires. New improvements are proposed for the algorithm, including new questions to take account of all types of damage and other relevant issues. These changes could provide an improved algorithm to assign intensities in a more reliable way in future New Zealand events.