Dr Wayne Stephenson staff Profile, Our people, School of Geography, University of Otago, New Zealand

Wayne Stephenson image Associate Professor

MSc(Cant)
PhD(Cant)

Richardson Building, room 4N4
Office Hours: email to make an appointment
Tel +64 3 479 8776
Email wayne.stephenson@otago.ac.nz

Teaching
Research interests
Potential student projects
Postgraduate supervision

Teaching

ENVI 111 Environment and Society (Coordinator)
GEOG 216 Resource Evaluation and Planning
GEOG 290 Field Research Methods
GEOG 380 Field Research Studies (Science)
GEOG 474 Coastal Management
GEOG 298 Coastal Geomorphology (Coordinator)
GEOG 398 Coastal Geomorphology (Coordinator)

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Research interests

My research is primarily in the area of coastal geomorphology, management and coastal responses to climate change. Understanding how contemporary processes operate to form rock coasts continues to be a key area of research. Recent work has focused on the impact of the Kaikōura 2016 earthquake on rock coast morphology and processes. This work is now supported with a Marsden Fund grant (2019-2021). Ongoing interests are in how geological setting influences morphology, erosion rates and processes on rock coasts. This has been a collaborative project with Dr Larissa Naylor (University of Glasgow), working on the Glamorgan coast of south Wales, UK. An extension of that work includes understanding the impact of storms on rock coasts and in particular the erosion and transport of boulders. More recent research in the area of coral reef geomorphology and response to climate change has included work in the Maldives and Mexico.

I have a broader interests in contemporary processes causing the development of coastlines. Other research has included rip currents, beach morphodynamics in fetch limited environments and rock weathering in coastal environments. I have worked collaboratively in China where I was involved in a project examining shoreline response to typhoon with Professor Zhongyuan Chen of East China Normal University. Further research and consultancy work has included the investigation of shoreline processes on lakes and lacustrine management. I acted as a scientific advisory to the then Murray-Darling Basin Commission and for 9 years monitored shoreline response to lake operations at Lake Victoria (NSW).

My interests in coastal management includes erosion and hazard mitigation and conservation of coastal environments. I regularly provide coastal management advice to communities, councils and government. Consulting usually takes the form of hazard assessment, expert witness in planning tribunals, technical reviews, and environmental impact assessments.

I am also a member of the Coastal People: Southern Skies collaboration that connects communities with world-leading, cross-discipline research to rebuild coastal ecosystems.
Coastal People: Southern Skies

Google Scholar: Wayne Stephenson

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Potential student projects

I am happy to supervise any student with an interest in coastal geomorphology, coastal processes, management and hazards. Possible topics include (not exclusively):

Impact of Kaikoura earthquake on coastal morphology
The value of rock coasts, an ecosystem services approach
Relative role of waves and weathering on shore platforms
Assessing erosion rates on rock coasts with a multiple scale approach (from microns to metres)
Rock weathering in coastal and terrestrial environments using field and laboratory approaches
Beach morphodynamics particularly in fetch limited environments (lakes and estuaries)
Morphodynamics of mixed sediment beaches
Geological control of rock coast evolution
Boulder transport by storm waves and tsunami
Testing the vulnerability of rock coasts to climate change, challenging assumptions about low vulnerability

Recent research grants

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Postgraduate supervision

Current supervision

Mitchel Dingwall, MSc: Holocene sea level variations on the Canterbury coast
Ashlyn Gallaher, MSc: Halemda sediment production and abrasion on a Maldivian coral reef
Sopie Horton, PhD: Changing process regimes on uplifted shore platforms
Raphael Krier, PhD: Wave transformation across shore platforms: the effects of storm and tides
Cesar Ramiraz, PhD: Wave attenuation and bed roughness over coral reefs
Mathew Smith, MSc: Marine terrace development following the Kaikōura earthquake
Jokotola Taiwo, PhD: Multi-scale erosion dynamics on shore platforms
Alisha Vivian, MSC: Depth disturbance on mixed sand and gravel beaches under varying wave intensities
Runjie Yuan, PhD (University of Melbourne): Micro-erosion of shore platforms

Previous supervision

Ryan Adam, 2019 MSC: Storm surge and beach response in southern New Zealand
Craig MacDonell, 2019 MSc (Surveying): A new eye on ecology: 4-Dimensional mapping with RPAS to characterise the spatio-temporal evolution of the Okia Reserve coastal restoration programme
Danielle Buchanan, 2018 MSC (University of Glasgow): Decadal to multi-decadal erosion of shore platforms
Cameron Hay, 2018 MAppSc Environmental Management: Sandy beach interactions with a seawall: A 9-year record of beach profile change, St Clair, Dunedin
Leigh McKenzie, 2017 MENVM: Farmers market food
Dong Shuyun, 2017 PhD: Modelling typhoon impacts on coastal Shanghai
Runjie Yuan, 2017 MSC: The drivers of hourly-scale surface change on shore platforms. University of Melbourne (co-supervisor)
Hannah Payne-Harker, 2016 MPLAN: Ecosystem services-based management: Evaluation of an approach to coastal management and decision making in New Zealand
Chen Bin, 2015 PhD: Abrasion in mixed sand and gravel beaches
Margaret Winter, 2013 MSc: Classification of mixed lacustrine beaches
Aaron Edwards, 2012 MPlan: Surf break management
Brigitte Allen, 2011 MPlan: Transport planning in the Wellington CBD
Caitlin Chew, 2011 BAppSc(Hons): Impacts on dredge spoil on paua
Greg Stevenson, 2010 BSc(Hons): Risk perception to tsunami hazards

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Publications

Kench, P. S., Liang, C., Ford, M. R., Owen, S. D., Aslam, M., Ryan, E., … Stephenson, W., … McLean, R. F. (2023). Reef islands have continually adjusted to environmental change over the past two millennia. Nature Communications, 14, 508. doi: 10.1038/s41467-023-36171-2

Krier-Mariani, R., Stephenson, W., Wakes, S., & Dickson, M. (2023). The effects of planform morphology on two-dimensional wave transformation over near-horizontal shore platforms. Geomorphology, 422, 108555. doi: 10.1016/j.geomorph.2022.108555

Omidiji, J., Stephenson, W., Dickson, M., & Norton, K. (2022). Tectonics and shore platform development: Rates and patterns of erosion on recently uplifted mudstone and limestone rocks at Kaikōura Peninsula, New Zealand. Marine Geology, 451, 106887. doi: 10.1016/j.margeo.2022.106887

Zhao, Z., Mitchell, N. C., & Stephenson, W. J. (2022). Testing the Sunamura et al. (2014) equations for wave attenuation over shore platforms. Geomorphology, 419, 108480. doi: 10.1016/j.geomorph.2022.108480

Horton, S. L., Dickson, M. E., & Stephenson, W. J. (2022). Supratidal inundation on an incipient marine terrace. Geomorphology, 108443. Advance online publication. doi: 10.1016/j.geomorph.2022.108443

Kennedy, D. M., Stephenson, W. J., & Naylor, L. A. (Eds.). (2014). Rock coast geomorphology: A global synthesis (Geological Society Memoir No. 40). London, UK: Geological Society, 292p. doi: 10.1144/M40.0

Edited Book - Research

Dickson, M. E., & Stephenson, W. J. (2014). The rock coast of New Zealand. In D. M. Kennedy, W. J. Stephenson & L. A. Naylor (Eds.), Rock coast geomorphology: A global synthesis (Geological Society Memoir No. 40). (pp. 225-234). London, UK: Geological Society. doi: 10.1144/M40.13

Chapter in Book - Research

Kennedy, D. M., Stephenson, W. J., & Naylor, L. A. (2014). Introduction to the rock coasts of the world. In D. M. Kennedy, W. J. Stephenson & L. A. Naylor (Eds.), Rock coast geomorphology: A global synthesis (Geological Society Memoir No. 40). (pp. 1-5). London, UK: Geological Society. doi: 10.1144/M40.1

Chapter in Book - Research

Naylor, L. A., Kennedy, D. M., & Stephenson, W. J. (2014). Synthesis and conclusion to the rock coast geomorphology of the world. In D. M. Kennedy, W. J. Stephenson & L. A. Naylor (Eds.), Rock coast geomorphology: A global synthesis (Geological Society Memoir No. 40). (pp. 283-286). London, UK: Geological Society. doi: 10.1144/M40.17

Chapter in Book - Research

Stephenson, W. (2014). Rock coasts. In G. Masselink & R. Gehrels (Eds.), Coastal environments & global change. (pp. 356-379). Chichester, UK: Wiley.

Chapter in Book - Research

Stephenson, W. (2013). Coastal erosion. In P. T. Bobrowsky (Ed.), Encyclopedia of natural hazards. (pp. 94-97). Dordrecht, Netherlands: Springer. doi: 10.1007/978-1-4020-4399-4

Chapter in Book - Research

Stephenson, W. (2013). Rip current. In P. T. Bobrowsky (Ed.), Encyclopedia of natural hazards. (pp. 855-856). Dordrecht, Netherlands: Springer. doi: 10.1007/978-1-4020-4399-4

Chapter in Book - Research

Stephenson, W. (2013). The micro and traversing erosion meter. In J. F. Shroder (Ed.), Treatise on geomorphology: Methods in geomorphology (Vol. 14). (pp. 164-169). London, UK: Academic Press.

Chapter in Book - Research

Stephenson, W. J., Dickson, M. E., & Trenhaile, A. S. (2013). Rock coasts. In J. F. Shroder (Ed.), Treatise on geomorphology: Coastal geomorphology (Vol. 10). (pp. 289-307). London, UK: Academic Press.

Chapter in Book - Research

Journal - Research Article

Dickson, M. E., Omidiji, J., Litchfield, N. J., Norton, K. P., Matsumoto, H., Krier-Mariani, R. L., Horton, S. L., … Stephenson, W. J. (2022). Observations of the incipient and penultimate stages of Holocene marine terrace development. Earth Surface Processes & Landforms. Advance online publication. doi: 10.1002/esp.5440

Journal - Research Article

Dong, S., Stephenson, W. J., Wakes, S., Chen, Z., & Ge, J. (2022). Mesoscale simulation of typhoon-generated storm surge: Methodology and Shanghai case study. Natural Hazards & Earth System Sciences, 22, 931-945. doi: 10.5194/nhess-22-931-2022

Journal - Research Article

Horton, S. L., Dickson, M. E., & Stephenson, W. J. (2022). The consequences of uplift on wave transformation across a shore platform, Kaikōura, New Zealand. Marine Geology, 451, 106888. doi: 10.1016/j.margeo.2022.106888

Journal - Research Article

Horton, S. L., Stephenson, W. J., & Dickson, M. E. (2022). Changes in shore platform wetting and drying cycles following the 2016 Kaikōura earthquake: Implications for incipient marine terrace evolution. Earth Surface Processes & Landforms. Advance online publication. doi: 10.1002/esp.5438

Journal - Research Article

Krier-Mariani, R. L., Stephenson, W. J., Wakes, S. J., & Dickson, M. E. (2022). Perspectives on wave transformation over a near-horizontal shore platform: Comparison of a two-dimensional and transect approach. Geomorphology, 405, 108200. doi: 10.1016/j.geomorph.2022.108200

Journal - Research Article

Yuan, R., Kennedy, D. M., Stephenson, W. J., & Finlayson, B. L. (2022). The precision and accuracy of measuring micro-scale erosion on shore platforms. Marine Geology, 443, 106691. doi: 10.1016/j.margeo.2021.106691

Journal - Research Article

Acevedo-Ramirez, C. A., Stephenson, W., Wakes, S., & Mariño-Tapia, I. (2021). Wave transformation on a fringing reef system with spur and groove structures. Journal of Geophysical Research: Oceans, 126, e2020JC016910. doi: 10.1029/2020JC016910

Journal - Research Article

Adam, R. J., Hilton, M. J., Jowett, T., & Stephenson, W. J. (2021). The magnitude and frequency of storm surge in southern New Zealand. New Zealand Journal of Marine & Freshwater Research, 55(2), 336-351. doi: 10.1080/00288330.2020.1764596

Journal - Research Article

Buchanan, D. H., Naylor, L. A., Hurst, M. D., & Stephenson, W. J. (2020). Erosion of rocky shore platforms by block detachment from layered stratigraphy. Earth Surface Processes & Landforms, 45, 1028-1037. doi: 10.1002/esp.4797

Journal - Research Article

Gerivani, H., Stephenson, W., & Afarin, M. (2020). Sea cliff instability hazard assessment for coastal management in Chabahar, Iran. Journal of Coastal Conservation, 24(1), 5. doi: 10.1007/s11852-019-00726-7

Journal - Research Article

Yuan, R., Kennedy, D. M., Stephenson, W. J., & Finlayson, B. L. (2020). The multidecadal spatial pattern of erosion on sandstone shore platforms in south-eastern Australia. Geomorphology, 371, 107437. doi: 10.1016/j.geomorph.2020.107437

Journal - Research Article

Stephenson, W. J., Kirk, R. M., & Hemmingsen, M. A. (2019). Forty three years of micro-erosion meter monitoring of erosion rates on shore platforms at Kaikōura Peninsula, South Island, New Zealand. Geomorphology, 344, 1-9. doi: 10.1016/j.geomorph.2019.07.012

Journal - Research Article

Yuan, R., Kennedy, D. M., Stephenson, W. J., & Gómez-Pujol, L. (2019). Experimental investigations into the influence of biofilms and environmental factors on short-term microtopographic fluctuations of supratidal sandstone. Earth Surface Processes & Landforms, 44, 1377-1389. doi: 10.1002/esp.4581

Journal - Research Article

Stephenson, W. J., Naylor, L. A., Smith, H., Chen, B., & Brayne, R. P. (2018). Wave transformation across a macrotidal shore platform under low to moderate energy conditions. Earth Surface Processes & Landforms, 43(1), 298-311. doi: 10.1002/esp.4245

Journal - Research Article

Yuan, R., Kennedy, D. M., & Stephenson, W. J. (2018). Hourly to daily-scale microtopographic fluctuations of supratidal sandstone. Earth Surface Processes & Landforms, 43, 3142-3151. doi: 10.1002/esp.4476

Journal - Research Article

Mottershead, D. N., Stephenson, W. J., & Hemmingsen, M. A. (2016). Geomorphology and the Law of Unintended Consequences (Locke, 1691): Lessons from coastal weathering and erosion at Prawle (UK) and Kaikoura (NZ). Geomorphology, 265, 1-11. doi: 10.1016/j.geomorph.2016.04.015

Journal - Research Article

Naylor, L. A., Stephenson, W. J., Smith, H. C. M., Way, O., Mendelssohn, J., & Cowley, A. (2016). Geomorphological control on boulder transport and coastal erosion before, during and after an extreme extra-tropical cyclone. Earth Surface Processes & Landforms, 41(5), 685-700. doi: 10.1002/esp.3900

Journal - Research Article

Chen, B., & Stephenson, W. (2015). Measuring pebble abrasion on a mixed sand and gravel beach using abrasion baskets. Geomorphology, 248, 24-32. doi: 10.1016/j.geomorph.2015.07.034

Journal - Research Article

Chew, C. A., Hepburn, C. D., & Stephenson, W. (2013). Low-level sedimentation modifies behaviour in juvenile Haliotis iris and may affect their vulnerability to predation. Marine Biology, 160(5), 1213-1221. doi: 10.1007/s00227-013-2173-0

Journal - Research Article

Edwards, A., & Stephenson, W. (2013). Assessing the potential for surf break co-management: Evidence from New Zealand. Coastal Management, 41(6), 537-560. doi: 10.1080/08920753.2013.842681

Journal - Research Article

Stephenson, W. J., Kirk, R. M., Kennedy, D. M., Finlayson, B. L., & Chen, Z. (2012). Long term shore platform surface lowering rates: Revisiting Gill and Lang after 32 years. Marine Geology, 299–302, 90-95. doi: 10.1016/j.margeo.2012.01.005

Journal - Research Article

Chen, B., Chen, Z., Stephenson, W., & Finlayson, B. (2011). Morphodynamics of a boulder beach, Putuo Island, SE China coast: The role of storms and typhoon. Marine Geology, 283(1-4), 106-115. doi: 10.1016/j.margeo.2010.10.004

Journal - Research Article

Marshall, R. J. E., & Stephenson, W. J. (2011). The morphodynamics of shore platforms in a micro-tidal setting: Interactions between waves and morphology. Marine Geology, 288(1-4), 18-31. doi: 10.1016/j.margeo.2011.06.007

Journal - Research Article

Miloshis, M., & Stephenson, W. J. (2011). Rip current escape strategies: Lessons for swimmers and coastal rescue authorities. Natural Hazards, 59(2), 823-832. doi: 10.1007/s11069-011-9798-4

Journal - Research Article

Paris, R., Naylor, L. A., & Stephenson, W. J. (2011). Boulders as a signature of storms on rock coasts. Marine Geology, 283(1-4), 1-11. doi: 10.1016/j.margeo.2011.03.016

Journal - Research Article

Stephenson, W. J., & Naylor, L. A. (2011). Geological controls on boulder production in a rock coast setting: Insights from South Wales, UK. Marine Geology, 283(1-4), 12-24. doi: 10.1016/j.margeo.2010.07.001

Journal - Research Article

Inkpen, R. J., Stephenson, W. J., Kirk, R. M., Hemmingsen, M. A., & Hemmingsen, S. A. (2010). Analysis of relationships between micro-topography and short- and long-term erosion rates on shore platforms at Kaikoura Peninsula, South Island, New Zealand. Geomorphology, 121(3-4), 266-273. doi: 10.1016/j.geomorph.2010.04.023

Journal - Research Article

Naylor, L. A., & Stephenson, W. J. (2010). On the role of discontinuities in mediating shore platform erosion. Geomorphology, 114(1-2), 89-100. doi: 10.1016/j.geomorph.2008.12.024

Journal - Research Article

Naylor, L. A., Stephenson, W. J., & Trenhaile, A. S. (2010). Rock coast geomorphology: Recent advances and future research directions. Geomorphology, 114, 3-11. doi: 10.1016/j.geomorph.2009.02.004

Journal - Research Article

Stephenson, W. J., Kirk, R. M., Hemmingsen, S. A., & Hemmingsen, M. A. (2010). Decadal scale micro erosion rates on shore platforms. Geomorphology, 114(1-2), 22-29. doi: 10.1016/j.geomorph.2008.10.013

Journal - Research Article

Stephenson, W. J., & Finlayson, B. (2009). Measuring erosion with the micro-erosion meter: Contributions to understanding landform evolution. Earth-Science Reviews, 95(1-2), 53-92. doi: 10.1016/j.earscirev.2009.03.006

Journal - Research Article

Goodfellow, B. W., & Stephenson, W. J. (2008). Role of infragravity energy in bar formation in a strong-wind bay: Observations from Seaford Beach, Port Phillip Bay, Australia. Geographical Research, 46(2), 208-223. doi: 10.1111/j.1745-5871.2008.00511.x

Journal - Research Article

Stephenson, W. (2008). Discussion of de Lange, W. P. and Moon V. G. 2005. Estimating long-term cliff recession rates from shore platform widths. Engineering Geology 80, 292-301. Engineering Geology, 101(3-4), 288-291. doi: 10.1016/j.enggeo.2008.04.008

Journal - Research Article

Gómez-Pujol, L., Stephenson, W. J., & Fornós, J. J. (2007). Two-hourly surface change on supra-tidal rock (Marengo, Victoria, Australia). Earth Surface Processes & Landforms, 32(1), 1-12. doi: 10.1002/esp.1373

Journal - Research Article

Inkpen, R. J., & Stephenson, W. (2006). Statistical analysis of the significance of site topography and erosion history on erosion rates on intertidal shore platforms, Kaikoura Peninsula, South Island, New Zealand. Geomorphology, 81(1-2), 18-28. doi: 10.1016/j.geomorph.2006.03.004

Journal - Research Article

Stephenson, W. J. (2006). Coastal geomorphology. Progress in Physical Geography, 30(1), 122-132. doi: 10.1191/0309133306pp475pr

Journal - Research Article

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Associate Professor Wayne Stephenson

Teaching

Research interests

Potential student projects

Postgraduate supervision

Current supervision

Previous supervision

Publications