Active Earth Processes
Overview
New Zealand is a magnificent natural laboratory within which to study the active processes that mould its landscape. Understanding many of these processes, e.g. volcanism, ore deposition, sediment transport and deposition, mass wasting, crustal deformation, geochemical pollution, and groundwater pollution are vital to both our economic development and our environmental management. The hazards associated with these processes are perhaps of even greater importance. The University of Otago, through its departments of Geology, Geography and Surveying, provides an integrated, multidisciplinary approach to the study of these earth processes.
Work includes: understanding the active deformation and uplift of the Southern Alps; the structure and geochemistry of New Zealand goldfields; crustal dynamics, structure and fluid flow in both the Taupo Volcanic Zone and the Himalayas; the dynamics of basalt eruptions in the deep sea; catastrophic flooding and lahars in the Taupo Volcanic Zone; deformation and seismic hazard studies in East Otago; climatic and tectonic impacts on braided river systems; long term coastline mobility; New Zealand glaciers as indicators of climate change; basil ice deformation; volcanic processes and Gondwana (Antarctic) breakup.
Over the last five years those associated with the theme have attracted well over $3 million in external research funds and have both initiated and participated in collaborative, international, research projects with staff at universities such as Cambridge, Oxford, Hawaii, Lehigh, Ohio State, Montpellier, Dartmouth College, MIT, Cape Town and Wales. Staff also have active research links in New Zealand with a wide range of government departments, Crown Research Institutes, local authorities and private companies.
Further information
Professor John Hannah
School of Surveying
PO Box 56, Dunedin
Tel 64 3 479 9010
Fax 64 3 479 7586
Email john@albers.otago.ac.nz
