Part of the Department of Engineering, the Centre carries out simulations of earthquakes, tsunamis and other geological phenomena to inform and assist industry on the design of tunnels, pipelines and even housing.

The Chancellor had previously visited the Centre in 1989. He was keenly interested in and impressed by developments in technology and understanding since then, as he was shown around by Professor Malcolm Bolton and Professor Robert Mair and met several researchers.

The building he visited was completed in November 2001. It was designed around the existing Schofield Centrifuge Centre, which opened in 1986 and is named after the University's Emeritus Professor of Soil Mechanics, Andrew Schofield who was present to meet the Chancellor.