BSc (Cant) MSurv (Otago) PhD (Newcastle, UK) 
Email: pdenys@surveying.otago.ac.nz
Phone: +64 (0)3 479 7596
Room: Surveying building, 1st floor, Room 125
Profile
Paul joined the School in June 1995. He completed a MSurv degree at Otago University in 1987, after which he lectured for six months at the University of Cape Town. He then worked as a site engineer in London before carrying out a variety of traditional and GPS control surveys and engineering setting out surveys in the oil and exploration industry in Egypt.
In 1991 he undertook studies for a PhD at the University of Newcastle, England (completed 1995) in height determination using ground-based transponders in conjunction with the radar altimeter on the ERS-1 remote sensing satellite. During this time he was appointed as a Research Associate at the University where he was involved in processing of precise GPS networks for projects in Greece, Europe and Britain. He also worked for Racal Survey in the Middle East, Far East and Europe on GPS related projects specific to the off-shore oil and exploration industry.
Since joining Otago University, his primary research focus has involved projects on the deformation of the South Island, vertical uplift of the Southern Alps, the effect of and integration of deformation events (e.g. earthquakes) on geodetic infrastructure and decoupling vertical land movement at tide gauge stations.
Teaching
SURV202 Survey Mathematics (coordinator)
SURV301 Survey Methods (coordinator)
SURV451 Advanced Survey Methods (coordinator)
Research
Research Interests
- Precise GPS, geodesy, geodetic reference systems
- Global Navigation Satellite Systems
- Earth Deformation
- Sea level rise
- Vertical Land Motion
Current Projects
Southern Alps Geodetic Experiment (SAGENZ). Using CGPS to measure the rate and distribution of uplift of the Southern Alps.
Fiordland – Co-seismic and Post-seismic deformation. In July 2009, a Mw 7.8 earthquake caused horizontal displacements of up to 80cm in Fiordland, New Zealand.
Sea Level Rise. Monitoring the land movement at New Zealand's long record tide gauges.
Strain and Velocity Fields. Using GPS to measure the velocity field throughout the South Island (New Zealand). Hence determine the strain variability particularly in the Southern Alps and Central Otago.
Publications
Page, C. J., Denys, P. H., & Pearson, C. F. (2018). A geodetic study of the Alpine Fault through South Westland: Using campaign GPS data to model slip rates on the Alpine Fault. New Zealand Journal of Geology & Geophysics, 63(3), 359-366. doi: 10.1080/00288306.2018.1494006
Hamling, I. J., Hreinsdóttir, S., Clark, K., Elliott, J., Liang, C., Fielding, E., … Denys, P., … Pearson, C., … Stirling, M. (2017). Complex multifault rupture during the 2016 Mw 7.8 Kaikōura earthquake, New Zealand. Science, 356(6334), eaam7194. doi: 10.1126/science.aam7194
Beavan, J., Wallace, L. M., Palmer, N., Denys, P., Ellis, S., Fournier, N., … Pearson, C., & Denham, M. (2016). New Zealand GPS velocity field: 1995–2013. New Zealand Journal of Geology & Geophysics, 59(1), 5-14. doi: 10.1080/00288306.2015.1134592
Swales, A., Denys, P., Pickett, V. I., & Lovelock, C. E. (2016). Evaluating deep subsidence in a rapidly-accreting mangrove forest using GPS monitoring of surface-elevation benchmarks and sedimentary records. Marine Geology, 380, 205-218. doi: 10.1016/j.margeo.2016.04.015
Denys, P., & Pearson, C. (2016). Positioning in active deformation zones: Implications for NetworkRTK and GNSS processing engines. Proceedings of the FIG Working Week: Recovery from Disaster. Retrieved from https://www.fig.net/fig2016/proceedings.htm
Page, C. J., Denys, P. H., & Pearson, C. F. (2018). A geodetic study of the Alpine Fault through South Westland: Using campaign GPS data to model slip rates on the Alpine Fault. New Zealand Journal of Geology & Geophysics, 63(3), 359-366. doi: 10.1080/00288306.2018.1494006
Journal - Research Article
Hamling, I. J., Hreinsdóttir, S., Clark, K., Elliott, J., Liang, C., Fielding, E., … Denys, P., … Pearson, C., … Stirling, M. (2017). Complex multifault rupture during the 2016 Mw 7.8 Kaikōura earthquake, New Zealand. Science, 356(6334), eaam7194. doi: 10.1126/science.aam7194
Journal - Research Article
Beavan, J., Wallace, L. M., Palmer, N., Denys, P., Ellis, S., Fournier, N., … Pearson, C., & Denham, M. (2016). New Zealand GPS velocity field: 1995–2013. New Zealand Journal of Geology & Geophysics, 59(1), 5-14. doi: 10.1080/00288306.2015.1134592
Journal - Research Article
Swales, A., Denys, P., Pickett, V. I., & Lovelock, C. E. (2016). Evaluating deep subsidence in a rapidly-accreting mangrove forest using GPS monitoring of surface-elevation benchmarks and sedimentary records. Marine Geology, 380, 205-218. doi: 10.1016/j.margeo.2016.04.015
Journal - Research Article
Denys, P., & Pearson, C. (2016). Positioning in active deformation zones: Implications for NetworkRTK and GNSS processing engines. Proceedings of the FIG Working Week: Recovery from Disaster. Retrieved from https://www.fig.net/fig2016/proceedings.htm
Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Full paper
Yong, C. Z., Denys, P. H., & Pearson, C. F. (2019). Groundwater extraction-induced land subsidence: A geodetic strain rate study in Kelantan, Malaysia. Journal of Spatial Science, 64(2), 275-286. doi: 10.1080/14498596.2018.1429329
Journal - Research Article
Thom, J., Odolinski, R., McDonald, L., & Denys, P. (2019). On the use of between-baseline differenced and instantaneous RTK positioning while using simultaneous GNSS measurements. Survey Review, 51(367), 345-353. doi: 10.1080/00396265.2018.1460068
Journal - Research Article
Yong, C. Z., Denys, P. H., & Pearson, C. F. (2017). Present-day kinematics of the Sundaland plate. Journal of Applied Geodesy, 11(3), 169-177. doi: 10.1515/jag-2016-0024
Journal - Research Article
Pearson, C., Manandhar, N., & Denys, P. (2017). Options for developing modernized geodetic datum for Nepal following the April 25, 2015 Mw7.8 Gorkha earthquake. Journal of Applied Geodesy, 11(3), 179-184. doi: 10.1515/jag-2016-0033
Journal - Research Article
Stephenson, W. J., Dickson, M. E., & Denys, P. H. (2017). New insights on the relative contributions of coastal processes and tectonics to shore platform development following the Kaikōura earthquake. Earth Surface Processes & Landforms, 42(13), 2214-2220. doi: 10.1002/esp.4176
Journal - Research Other
Denys, P., Liggett, A., Odolinski, R., Pearson, C., Stewart, D., & Winefield, R. (2017). NetworkRTK–New Zealand: A summary of the concepts, methods, limitations and services in New Zealand. Wellington, New Zealand : NZIS. 41p. Retrieved from https://www.surveyors.org.nz
Working Paper; Discussion Paper; Technical Report
Pearson, C., Crook, C., Jordan, A., & Denys, P. (2016). PositioNZ-PP: An online GPS processing application for New Zealand. In C. Rizos & P. Willis (Eds.) International Association of Geodesy Symposia, (pp. 549-555). Cham, Switzerland: Springer. doi: 10.1007/978-3-319-30895-1
Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Full paper
Yong, C. Z., Denys, P., & Pearson, C. (2016). Consequence of 2012 Mw 8.6 Northern Sumatra earthquakes towards Sundaland Plate. Proceedings of the FIG Working Week: Recovery from Disaster. Retrieved from https://www.fig.net/fig2016/proceedings.htm
Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Full paper
Cox, S. C., Menzies, C. D., Sutherland, R., Denys, P. H., Chamberlain, C., & Teagle, D. A. H. (2015). Changes in hot spring temperature and hydrogeology of the Alpine Fault hanging wall, New Zealand, induced by distal South Island earthquakes. Geofluids, 15(1-2), 216-239. doi: 10.1111/gfl.12093
Journal - Research Article
Fadil, A., Denys, P., Tenzer, R., Grenfell, H. R., & Willis, P. (2013). New Zealand 20th century sea level rise: Resolving the vertical land motion using space geodetic and geological data. Journal of Geophysical Research: Oceans, 118(11), 6076-6091. doi: 10.1002/2013JC008867
Journal - Research Article
Denys, P. (2013). Geodetic surveying: New Zealand. In M. Strack (Ed.), Survey marks. (pp. 163-170). Dunedin, New Zealand: School of Surveying, University of Otago & the New Zealand Institute of Surveyors.
Chapter in Book - Research
Denys, P., Strack, M., Moore, A. B., & Whigham, P. (Eds.). (2013). Proceedings of the 125th New Zealand Institute of Surveyors (NZIS) Annual Conference and the Spatial Information Research Centre New Zealand (SIRC NZ) GIS and Remote Sensing Research Conference: Celebrating the Past: Redefining the Future. Wellington, New Zealand: New Zealand Institute of Surveyors. 225p.
Conference Contribution - Edited volume of conference proceedings
Kaiser, A., Holden, C., Beavan, J., Beetham, D., Benites, R., Celentano, A., … Denys, P., … Zhao, J. (2012). The MW 6.2 Christchurch earthquake of February 2011: Preliminary report. New Zealand Journal of Geology & Geophysics, 55(1), 67-90. doi: 10.1080/00288306.2011.641182
Journal - Research Article
Recio, M. R., Mathieu, R., Denys, P., Sirguey, P., & Seddon, P. J. (2011). Lightweight GPS-tags, one giant leap for wildlife tracking? An assessment approach. PLoS ONE, 6(12), e28225. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0028225
Journal - Research Article
Gladkikh, V., Tenzer, R., & Denys, P. (2011). Crustal deformation due to atmospheric pressure loading in New Zealand. Journal of Geodetic Science, 1(3), 271-279. doi: 10.2478/v10156-011-0005-z
Journal - Research Article
Beavan, J., Denys, P., Denham, M., Hager, B., Herring, T., & Molnar, P. (2010). Distribution of present-day vertical deformation across the Southern Alps, New Zealand, from 10 years of GPS data. Geophysical Research Letters, 37, L16305. doi: 10.1029/2010gl044165
Journal - Research Article
Denys, P., Denham, M., & Amos, M. (2010). Evaluation of the NZGeoid05 using GPS levelling in rural and elevated locations, South Island, New Zealand. Journal of Spatial Science, 55(2), 205-218. doi: 10.1080/14498596.2010.521972
Journal - Research Article
Wallace, L. M., Beavan, J., McCaffrey, R., Berryman, K., & Denys, P. (2007). Balancing the plate motion budget in the South Island, New Zealand using GPS, geological and seismological data. Geophysical Journal International, 168, 332-352.
Journal - Research Article
Beavan, J., Samsonov, S., Denys, P., Sutherland, R., Palmer, N., & Denham, M. (2010). Oblique slip on the Puysegur subduction interface in the 2009 July Mw 7.8 Dusky Sound earthquake from GPS and InSAR observations: Implications for the tectonics of southwestern New Zealand. Geophysical Journal International, 183(3), 1265-1286. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-246X.2010.04798.x
Journal - Research Article
Marshall, A., & Denys, P. (2009). Water level measurement and tidal datum transfer using high rate GPS buoys. New Zealand Surveyor, 299, 24-30.
Journal - Research Article
Pearson, C. F., Denys, P. H., & Hodgkinson, K. (2000). Geodetic constraints on the kinematics of the Alpine Fault in the southern South Island of New Zealand, using results from the Hawea-Haast GPS transect. Geophysical Research Letters, 27(9), 1319-1323.
Journal - Research Article
Denys, P. H., Denham, M., & Pearson, C. F. (2007). A geodetic measurement of strain variation across the Central Southern Alps, New Zealand. In P. Tregoning & C. Rizos (Eds.), Dynamic planet: Monitoring and understanding a dynamic planet with geodetic and oceanographic tools. (pp. 445-452). Berlin: Springer.
Chapter in Book - Research
Jordan, A., Denys, P., & Blick, G. (2007). Implementing localised deformation models into a semi-dynamic datum. In P. Tregoning & C. Rizos (Eds.), Dynamic planet: Monitoring and understanding a dynamic planet with geodetic and oceanographic tools. (pp. 631-637). Berlin: Springer.
Chapter in Book - Research
Beavan, J., Ellis, S., Wallace, L., & Denys, P. (2007). Kinematic constraints from GPS on oblique convergence of the Pacific and Australian Plates, central South Island, New Zealand. In D. Okaya, T. Stern & F. Davey (Eds.), A continental plate boundary: Tectonics at South Island, New Zealand (Geophysical Monograph Series 175). (pp. 75-94). Washington, DC: American Geophysical Union. doi: 10.1029/175GM05
Chapter in Book - Research
Denys, P., Pearson, C., Norris, R., & Denham, M. (2016). A geodetic study of Otago: results of the central Otago deformation network 2004–2014. New Zealand Journal of Geology & Geophysics, 59(1), 147-156. doi: 10.1080/00288306.2015.1134592
Journal - Research Article
Pearson, C., Manandhar, N., & Denys, P. (2016). Towards a modernized geodetic datum for Nepal: Options for developing an accurate terrestrial reference frame following the April 25, 2015 Mw7.8 Gorkha earthquake. Proceedings of the FIG Working Week: Recovery from Disaster. Retrieved from https://www.fig.net/fig2016/proceedings.htm
Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Full paper
Pearson, C., Crook, C., & Denys, P. (2017). The development of a station coordinate estimation program to model time series from continuous GPS stations in New Zealand. In T. van Dam (Ed.) International Association of Geodesy Symposia, (pp. 119-127). Cham, Switzerland: Springer. doi: 10.1007/1345_2015_177
Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Full paper
Odolinski, R., & Denys, P. (2015). On the multi-GNSS RTK positioning performance in New Zealand. Proceedings of the International Global Navigation Satellite Systems Society (IGNSS) Symposium. Retrieved from http://www.ignss.org/Conferences/PastConferencePapers/2015ConferencePastPapers/2015PeerReviewedPapers/tabid/147/Default.aspx
Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Full paper
Denys, P., Norris, R., Pearson, C., & Denham, M. (2014). A geodetic study of the Otago Fault System of the South Island of New Zealand. In C. Rizos & P. Willis (Eds.), Earth on the edge: Science for a sustainable planet. 139, (pp. 151-158). Berlin: Springer. doi: 10.1007/978-3-642-37222-3_19
Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Full paper
Tenzer, R., Stevenson, M., & Denys, P. (2012). A compilation of a preliminary map of vertical deformations in New Zealand from continuous GPS data. In S. C. Kenyon, M. C. Pacino & U. J. Marti (Eds.), Geodesy for Planet Earth: International Association of Geodesy Symposia (Vol. 136). (pp. 697-703). Heidelberg, Germany: Springer. doi: 10.1007/978-3-642-20338-1_86
Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Full paper
Denys, P., Beavan, J., Thomas, I., & King, M. (2010). A comparison of absolute and relative vertical rates at the New Zealand cGPS@TG sites. Proceedings of the International GNSS Service IGS Workshop and Vertical Rates Symposium. Retrieved from http://www.ceg.ncl.ac.uk/igs2010/
Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Full paper
Beavan, J., Denys, P., Denham, M., Hager, B., Herring, T., & Molnar, P. (2010). Distribution of present-day vertical deformation across the Southern Alps, New Zealand, from 10 years of GPS data. Proceedings of the International GNSS Service IGS Workshop and Vertical Rates Symposium. Retrieved from http://www.ceg.ncl.ac.uk/igs2010/
Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Full paper
Denys, P., Winefield, R., & Jordan, A. (2007). Incorporating localised deformation events in dynamic datums. Proceedings of the XXX FIG General Assembly and Working Week. [CD-ROM] Copenhagen, Denmark: International Federation of Surveyors. [Full Paper]
Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Full paper
Marshall, A., & Denys, P. (2008). Water level measurement and tidal datum transfer using high rate GPS buoys. Proceedings of the FIG Working Week: Integrating Generations. Retrieved from http://www.fig.net/pub/fig2008/techprog.htm
Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Full paper
Denys, P. (2010). A note on the accuracy of consumer grade GPS receivers. Survey Quarterly, 62, 20-21.
Journal - Professional & Other Non-Research Articles
Denys, P. (2009). A note on GPS signals. Survey Quarterly, 60, 20-21.
Journal - Professional & Other Non-Research Articles
Denys, P., Winefield, R., & Jordan, A. (2008). Mapping for earthquakes: Incorporating deformation into datums. Position, 34(April-May), 52-54.
Journal - Professional & Other Non-Research Articles
Denham, M., & Denys, P. (2006). Verification of NZGeoid05 in the South Island, New Zealand. Commissioned by Land Information New Zealand. Dunedin, New Zealand: School of Surveying, University of Otago. 26p.
Commissioned Report for External Body
Magee, B., & Denys, P. (2005). Accurate velocity assessment of a rowing skiff using kinematic GPS. Geomatica, 59(2), 121-129.
Journal - Research Article
Denham, M., Denys, P., & Vennell, R. (2005). Squat trials on the ″Mt Kakariki″: Victoria Channel Otago Harbour, NZ. Commissioned by Port Otago Ltd. Dunedin, New Zealand: University of Otago.
Commissioned Report for External Body
Denys, P., Pearson, C., & Denham, M. (2005). Strain accumulation across the central Southern Alps, New Zealand: A geodetic experiment to characterise the accumulation of strain. Commissioned by Earthquake Commission Research Foundation. Dunedin, New Zealand: University of Otago.
Commissioned Report for External Body
Beavan, J., Matheson, D., Denys, P., Denham, M., Herring, T., Hager, B., & Molnar, P. (2004). A vertical deformation profile across the Southern Alps, New Zealand, from 3.5 years of continuous GPS data. In T. van Dam (Ed.), Cahiers de Centre Européen de Géodynamique et Séismologie, Proceedings of the Workshop: The state of GPS vertical positioning precision: Separation of earth processes by space geodesy. 24. [Full Paper]
Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Full paper
Denham, M., Denys, P., & Vennell, R. (2004). Profit from squat? Dynamic ship's behaviour captured in Otago Harbour, New Zealand. Proceedings of the 4th Trans Tasman Survey Conference of the Institute of New Zealand Surveyors. Auckland, New Zealand: Institute of New Zealand Surveyors. [Full Paper]
Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Full paper
Denys, P. H. (2002). Receiver capabilities and positioning methods used by current day GPS technology. New Zealand Surveyor, 292, 27-34.
Journal - Research Article
Denys, P. H. (2001). A trial to determine the precision of GPS single point positioning. Commissioned by Helicopters Otago. Mosgiel, Dunedin. 6p.
Commissioned Report for External Body
