Geospatial Science and Coasts
Geospatial Science is changing the way that we examine and understand coasts. The aims of this research cluster are to examine applications of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and Remote Sensing (RS) to coastal management, monitoring and hazard assessment.
Research into novel GIS-based techniques for quantifying tsunami hazard vulnerability is ongoing and has informed the Christchurch coastal evacuation plan. The techniques applied to this plan are now informing the development of national policy on tsunami evacuation. In addition, staff and graduate students in the Department are or have been involved in:
• applying shoreline mapping and analysis techniques to modified estuarine ecosystems and eroding beaches,
• using GIS to create novel monitoring protocols for use in the management of beaches and coastal sediment extractions,
• using RS to study rhythmic topography, and beach and river mouth dynamics on coarse-sediment coasts,
• using GIS to analyse patterns of sediment reduction between river mouths and cliff coasts.
Staff involved
Selected publications and theses:
- Eikaas, HS and Hemmingsen, MA (2006) A GIS approach to model sediment reduction susceptibility of mixed sand and gravel beaches. Environmental Management 37: 816-825
- Griffiths, N. (2005) The effect of tsunami hazard on the Avon-Heathcote Estuary Area. Honours dissertation (Geography), University of Canterbury , 39pp.
- Hart, DE and Knight, GA ( Submitted ). Geographic information system assessment of tsunami vulnerability on a dune coast. Journal of Coastal Research
- Jupp, K; Partridge, TR; Hart, DE and Marsden, ID (2007) Ecology of the Avon-Heathcote Estuary: Comparative salt marsh survey 2006-2007. Estuarine Research Report 34, University of Canterbury, for the Avon-Heathcote Ihutai Trust and Christchurch City Council.
- Knight, G.A (2005) Tsunami vulnerability on the Christchurch coast. Honours dissertation (Geography), University of Canterbury , 46pp.
- New Zealand Police (2006) Operation Pacific Wave: Coastal Evacuation Plan Canterbury . Canterbury District Police, Christchurch.