BS (Montana Tech, 1990), MS (Ohio State University, 1994), PhD (University of Chicago, 1998)
Email christina.hulbe@otago.ac.nz
Tel +64 3 479 7613
Office: Surveying building, 1st floor, Room 121a
Profile
I am a geophysicist who studies how and why polar ice sheets change over time. While I got my start in a remote west Antarctic field camp, most of my research today is computational, using mathematical models and remote sensing to investigate modern systems and the recent past. Since arriving at Otago, I returned to the ice, as the programme lead for a multi-institution, interdisciplinary investigation into the Vulnerability of the Ross Ice Shelf in a Warming World. Today I am part of the MBIE-funded Antarctic Science Platform Programmme 1: Antarctic Ice Dynamics. Our aims are to observe and understand the processes and process interactions that determine how, and how fast, ice in will respond to and participate in climate change (watch this and read this for more). My teaching background is broad; including math fundamentals for geospatial science, polar glaciology and climate change, and spatial analysis of graphic narrative (some of my favourite examples are n the environmental horror comic, Swamp Thing). I am fortunate to keep up my Antarctic teaching through collaboration with the Otago Department of Marine Science and to work with some excellent postgraduate students.
Teaching
- SURV 102 Geospatial Science
- SURV 411/511 Advanced Spatial Analysis and Modelling
- OCEN 201 Physical Oceanography
Research interests
Earth's polar regions are changing rapidly and understanding both the causes and implications of change have great scientific and social relevance. In many cases, there is a big mismatch between the relatively short time spans over which people have been observing polar ice and the much longer time scales for processes at work in those systems. Fortunately, placing contemporary change in the right glaciological context can be helped along using physics-based computational models. That's what interests me: finding interesting situations in the ice (mainly via satellite remote sensing) and then using computational models to write the story of how things got to be that way. Ongoing projects involve geophysical studies of the Ross Ice Shelf and its interaction with other parts of the physical environment, statistical methods to find patterns in ice sheet change that might be used to infer underlying processes in ways not biased by researcher “intuition,” and fracture mechanics in floating ice.
Projects
Current projects
- Antarctic Science Platform, Programme 1: The Antarctic ice-ocean-atmosphere system in a warming world (MBIE, AI)
- Vulnerability of the Ross Ice Shelf in a Warming World (NZARI interdisciplinary and multi-institutional programme, lead PI)
- Stretching ice to the limit: New flow laws for ice sheets (Marsden Funded, AI)
- Segregation and stratification in New Zealand's STEM academy
Completed projects
- Past and Future Deformation of the Ross Ice Shelf (funded by NZ Antarctic Research Institute, AI)
- Decadal scale change in the outlets of Bindschadler and MacAyeal Ice Streams, West Antarctica (funded by NZ Antarctic Research Institute)
- Change of Habit: Models of Ice Sheet Response to Margin Perturbations (funded by NASA, collaborative with C. Jackson)
- Model investigation of ice stream/subglacial lake systems (funded by U.S. NSF, co-PI with O. Sergienko)
- IPY, The Next Generation: A Community Ice Sheet Model for scientists and educators (funded by U.S. NSF, collaborative)
- Grounding line forensics: The history of grounding line retreat in the Kamb Ice Stream outlet region (funded by U.S. NSF, co-PI with G. Catania)
- At-Risk:" Ice Shelves and Outlet Glaciers in Antarctica: Using Satellite Data to Evaluate Responses to a Changing Climate (NASA, collaborative with T. Scambos)
- Using fracture patterns and ice thickness to study the history and dynamics of grounding line migration and shutdown of Kamb and Whillans Ice Streams (funded by U.S. NSF, collaborative with K. Cruikshank and M. Fahnestock)
- Ice-Shelf Rift Propagation (funded by U.S. NSF)
- Discharge Variability of Ross Ice Streams Over the Last Millennium (funded by U.S. NSF, collaborative with M. Fahnestock)
- Ice Shelves and Landfast Ice on the Antarctic Perimeter (NASA, co-PI with T. Scambos)
Supervision
Current research students
- Martin Forbes (PhD candidate, University of Otago) structural glaciology and rift propagation in the Ross Ice Shelf, Antarctica
- Holly Still (PhD candidate, University of Otago) improving representation of ice stream grounding zone processes in numerical models
- Emily Tidey (PhD candidate, University of Otago) acoustic imaging of marine habitats
- Liam McElwain (BSurv Honours, University of Otago) comparative analysis of comic book spatialities across cultures
Recent research students
- Holly Still (MSc 2020, University of Otago) Mechanics and dynamics of pinning points in the Ross Ice Shelf
- Cerys Bailey (PhD 2019, University of Otago) Physical processes in a time-dependent salt wedge estuary with a region of repeated sharp curvature
- Brian Coutts (PhD 2017, University of Otago) Paradigm Shifts in Surveying
- Scott Waibel (PhD 2016, Portland State University) Instability of the Thwaites Glacier, West Antarctica
- Justin Hiester (MS, 2013) Investigations into the Regional and Local Timescale Variations of Subglacial Drainage
- Mason Fried (MS, 2013) Grounding Zone Processes: Ice Mechanics and Margin Lakes, Kamb Ice Stream and Whillans Ice Stream, West Antarctica
- Tracy Ricker (MS, 2012) Arsenic in the Soils of Northwest Oregon; co-adviser with Scott Burns
- Fiona Seifert (MS, 2012) Grounding line processes on Kamb Ice Stream, West Antarctica
- Serin Duplantis (MS, 2011) Landslide Inventory Mapping and Dating using LiDAR-Based Imagery and Statistical Comparison Techniques in Milo McIver State Park, Clackamas County, Oregon; co-adviser with Scott Burns
- Scott Waibel (MS, 2011) Hydrologic budget of the Upper Deschutes Basin, Central Oregon, under changing climatic conditions
- Scott Braunsten (MS, 2009) Subsurface Structure in the Vicinity of Sheepy Ridge, Upper Klamath Basin, California, using gravity anomalies
- Adam Campbell (MS, 2009) Numerical Model investigation of Crane Glacier response to collapse of the Larsen B ice shelf, Antarctic Peninsula
- Christine LeDoux (MS, 2007) A boundary element model for fracture propagation in the Ronne Ice Shelf, Antarctica
- Hiram Henry (MS, 2006) Numerical simulation of water flow through the temperate firn aquifer
Responsibilities
University
- Dean, School of Surveying
- Chair, Equity Advisory Committee to SLT
Professional activities
Awards and achievements
- 2020, International Glaciological Socie
- 2019–2021, International Glaciological Society, Vice President
- 2016, Nye Lecture at the American Geophysical Union Fall Meeting, San Francisco
- 2016, Weyprecht Lecture at the SCAR Open Science Conference, Kuala Lumpur
- 2003–2017, Chair, International Glaciological Society Publications Committee
- 2009–2012, International Glaciological Society Vice President
- 2009, Fulbright Senior Scholar (New Zealand)
- 2007, 2004, Portland State University College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, John Elliot Allen Outstanding Teaching Award in Geology
- 2006–2009, International Glaciological Society, Member of Council
Memberships
- Member of the International Glaciological Society (igsoc.org)
- Member of the Geological Society of America (www.geosociety.org)
- Member of the American Geophysical Union (www.agu.org)
- Member of the New Zealand Association of Women in Science (www.awis.org.nz)
- Member of Survey+Spatial New Zealand (www.surveyors.org.nz)
Editorial/refereeing
Journal of Glaciology, Annals of Glaciology, Antarctic Science, Nature Geoscience, Nature, Science, Geophysical Research Letters, Journal of Geophysical Research, Computers in Geoscience
Publications
Lawrence, J. D., Washam, P. M., Stevens, C., Hulbe, C., Horgan, H. J., Dunbar, G., … Schmidt, B. E. (2023). Crevasse refreezing and signatures of retreat observed at Kamb Ice Stream grounding zone. Nature Geoscience, 16, 238-243. doi: 10.1038/s41561-023-01129-y
Ohneiser, C., Hulbe, C. L., Beltran, C., Riesselman, C. R., Moy, C. M., Condon, D. B., & Worthington, R. A. (2022). West Antarctic ice volume variability paced by obliquity until 400,000 years ago. Nature Geoscience. Advance online publication. doi: 10.1038/s41561-022-01088-w
Morales, S. E., Hulbe, C., Martínez-Pérez, C., & Baltar, F. (2022). In the dark, freezing ocean under Antarctica's largest ice shelf, we discovered a thriving microbial jungle. The Conversation. Retrieved from https://theconversation.com/in-the-dark-freezing-ocean-under-antarcticas-largest-ice-shelf-we-discovered-a-thriving-microbial-jungle-175735
Smith, I. J., Pauling, A. G., Bitz, C. M., Lilly, K., Langhorne, P. J., & Hulbe, C. L. (2022). What are the impacts on Antarctic sea ice area of increased ice shelf meltwater over centennial timescales in CCSM4? Proceedings of the Ocean Sciences Meeting (OSM). Retrieved from https://www.aslo.org/osm2022
Washam, P., Lawrence, J., Schmidt, B., Stevens, C., Robinson, N., Stewart, C., … Hulbe, C., & Horgan, H. (2022). Observations of ocean circulation in an ice shelf crevasse from the underwater vehicle Icefin: Implications for melting, freezing, and meltwater transport. Proceedings of the Ocean Sciences Meeting (OSM). Retrieved from https://www.aslo.org/osm2022
Hulbe, C. L., & Payne, A. J. (2001). The contribution of numerical modelling to our understanding of the West Antarctic ice sheet. In R. B. Alley & R. A. Bindschadler (Eds.), The West Antarctic ice sheet: Behavior and environment. (pp. 201-219). Washington, DC: American Geophysical Union.
Chapter in Book - Research
Lawrence, J. D., Washam, P. M., Stevens, C., Hulbe, C., Horgan, H. J., Dunbar, G., … Schmidt, B. E. (2023). Crevasse refreezing and signatures of retreat observed at Kamb Ice Stream grounding zone. Nature Geoscience, 16, 238-243. doi: 10.1038/s41561-023-01129-y
Journal - Research Article
Forbes, V. C. B., Dickinson, K. J. M., & Hulbe, C. L. (2022). Applying a social-ecological systems lens to patterns of policy, operational change, and gender participation in a large Aotearoa New Zealand organisation. Journal of the Royal Society of New Zealand, 52(5), 539-568. doi: 10.1080/03036758.2021.2012489
Journal - Research Article
Martínez-Pérez, C., Greening, C., Bay, S. K., Lappan, R. J., Zhao, Z., De Corte, D., Hulbe, C., Ohneiser, C., … Thomson, B., … Morales, S. E., & Baltar, F. (2022). Phylogenetically and functionally diverse microorganisms reside under the Ross Ice Shelf. Nature Communications, 13, 117. doi: 10.1038/s41467-021-27769-5
Journal - Research Article
Ohneiser, C., Hulbe, C. L., Beltran, C., Riesselman, C. R., Moy, C. M., Condon, D. B., & Worthington, R. A. (2022). West Antarctic ice volume variability paced by obliquity until 400,000 years ago. Nature Geoscience. Advance online publication. doi: 10.1038/s41561-022-01088-w
Journal - Research Article
Still, H., & Hulbe, C. (2021). Mechanics and dynamics of pinning points on the Shirase Coast, West Antarctica. Cryosphere, 15(6), 2647-2665. doi: 10.5194/tc-15-2647-2021
Journal - Research Article
Das, I., Padman, L., Bell, R. E., Fricker, H. A., Tinto, K. J., Hulbe, C. L., … Siegfried, M. R. (2020). Multidecadal basal melt rates and structure of the Ross Ice Shelf, Antarctica, using airborne ice penetrating radar. Journal of Geophysical Research: Earth Surface, 125, e2019JF005241. doi: 10.1029/2019JF005241
Journal - Research Article
Jackson, A.-M., Rewi, T., Hakopa, H., Phillips, C., Russell, P., Parr-Brownlie, L. C., Hulbe, C., Leoni, G., Mita, N., Hepburn, C., Wikaira, J., … Elder, H. (2020). Towards building an Indigenous Science Tertiary Curriculum (Part 2). New Zealand Science Review, 76(1-2), 25-31.
Journal - Research Article
Lutz, F., Eccles, J., Prior, D. J., Craw, L., Fan, S., Hulbe, C., Forbes, M., Still, H., … Mandeno, D. (2020). Constraining ice shelf anisotropy using shear wave splitting measurements from active-source borehole seismics. Journal of Geophysical Research: Earth Surface, 125(9), e2020JF005707. doi: 10.1029/2020JF005707
Journal - Research Article
Stevens, C., Hulbe, C., Brewer, M., Stewart, C., Robinson, N., Ohneiser, C., & Jendersie, S. (2020). Ocean mixing and heat transport processes observed under the Ross Ice Shelf control its basal melting. PNAS, 117(29), 16799-16804. doi: 10.1073/pnas.1910760117
Journal - Research Article
Jackson, A.-M., Hakopa, H., Phillips, C., Parr-Brownlie, L. C., Russell, P., Hulbe, C., Rewi, T., Leoni, G., Mita, N., Jackson, S., Poa, D., Hepburn, C., Wikaira, J., … Elder, H. (2019). Towards building an Indigenous Science Tertiary Curriculum. New Zealand Science Review, 75(4), 69-73.
Journal - Research Article
Still, H., Campbell, A., & Hulbe, C. (2019). Mechanical analysis of pinning points in the Ross Ice Shelf, Antarctica. Annals of Glaciology, 60(78), 32-41. doi: 10.1017/aog.2018.31
Journal - Research Article
Tidey, E. J., & Hulbe, C. (2019). Sub-Antarctic Auckland Islands seafloor mapping investigations using legacy data. Geosciences, 9(2), 56. doi: 10.3390/geosciences9020056
Journal - Research Article
Campbell, A. J., Hulbe, C. L., & Lee, C.-K. (2018). Ice stream slowdown will drive long-term thinning of the Ross Ice Shelf, with or without ocean warming. Geophysical Research Letters, 45(1), 201-206. doi: 10.1002/2017GL075794
Journal - Research Article
Moore, A. B., Nowostawski, M., Frantz, C., & Hulbe, C. (2018). Comic strip narratives in time geography. ISPRS International Journal of Geo-Information, 7(7), 245. doi: 10.3390/ijgi7070245
Journal - Research Article
Tidey, E. J., & Hulbe, C. L. (2018). Bathymetry and glacial geomorphology in the sub-Antarctic Auckland Islands. Antarctic Science, 30(6), 357-370. doi: 10.1017/S0954102018000342
Journal - Research Article
Waibel, M. S., Hulbe, C. L., Jackson, C. S., & Martin, D. F. (2018). Rate of mass loss across the instability threshold for Thwaites Glacier determines rate of mass loss for entire basin. Geophysical Research Letters, 45(2), 809-816. doi: 10.1002/2017GL076470
Journal - Research Article
Campbell, A. J., Hulbe, C. L., & Lee, C.-K. (2017). The shape of change: An EOF approach to identifying sources of transient thickness change in an ice shelf. Annals of Glaciology, 58(74), 21-27. doi: 10.1017/aog.2017.16
Journal - Research Article
Horgan, H. J., Hulbe, C., Alley, R. B., Anandakrishnan, S., Goodsell, B., Taylor-Offord, S., & Vaughan, M. J. (2017). Poststagnation retreat of Kamb Ice Stream's grounding zone. Geophysical Research Letters, 44(19), 9815-9822. doi: 10.1002/2017GL074986
Journal - Research Article
LeDoux, C. M., Hulbe, C. L., Forbes, M. P., Scambos, T. A., & Alley, K. (2017). Structural provinces of the Ross Ice Shelf, Antarctica. Annals of Glaciology, 58(75pt1), 88-98. doi: 10.1017/aog.2017.24
Journal - Research Article
Hiester, J., Sergienko, O. V., & Hulbe, C. L. (2016). Topographically mediated ice stream subglacial drainage networks. Journal of Geophysical Research: Earth Surface, 121(2), 497-510. doi: 10.1002/2015JF003660
Journal - Research Article
Hulbe, C. L., Klinger, M., Masterson, M., Catania, G., Cruikshank, K., & Bugni, A. (2016). Tidal bending and strand cracks at the Kamb Ice Stream grounding line, West Antarctica. Journal of Glaciology, 62(235), 816-824. doi: 10.1017/jog.2016.74
Journal - Research Article
Hulbe, C. L., Scambos, T. A., Klinger, M., & Fahnestock, M. A. (2016). Flow variability and ongoing margin shifts on Bindschadler and MacAyeal Ice Streams, West Antarctica. Journal of Geophysical Research: Earth Surface, 121(2), 283-293. doi: 10.1002/2015JF003670
Journal - Research Article
Fried, M. J., Hulbe, C. L., & Fahnestock, M. A. (2014). Grounding-line dynamics and margin lakes. Annals of Glaciology, 55(66), 87-96. doi: 10.3189/2014AoG66A216
Journal - Research Article
Hulbe, C. L., Scambos, T. A., Lee, C.-K., Bohlander, J., & Haran, T. (2013). Recent changes in the flow of the Ross Ice Shelf, West Antarctica. Earth & Planetary Science Letters, 376, 54-62. doi: 10.1016/j.epsl.2013.06.013
Journal - Research Article
Waibel, M. S., Gannett, M. W., Chang, H., & Hulbe, C. L. (2013). Spatial variability of the response to climate change in regional groundwater systems: Examples from simulations in the Deschutes Basin, Oregon. Journal of Hydrology, 486, 187-201. doi: 10.1016/j.jhydrol.2013.01.019
Journal - Research Article
Catania, G., Hulbe, C., Conway, H., Scambos, T. A., & Raymond, C. F. (2012). Variability in the mass flux of the Ross ice streams, West Antarctica, over the last millennium. Journal of Glaciology, 58(210), 741-752. doi: 10.3189/2012JoG11J219
Journal - Research Article
Sergienko, O. V., & Hulbe, C. L. (2011). 'Sticky spots' and subglacial lakes under ice streams of the Siple Coast, Antarctica. Annals of Glaciology, 52(58), 18-22. doi: 10.3189/172756411797252176
Journal - Research Article
Catania, G., Hulbe, C., & Conway, H. (2010). Grounding-line basal melt rates determined using radar-derived internal stratigraphy. Journal of Glaciology, 56(197), 545-554. doi: 10.3189/002214310792447842
Journal - Research Article
Hulbe, C. (2010). Extreme iceberg generation exposed. Nature Geoscience, 3(2), 80-81. doi: 10.1038/ngeo759
Journal - Research Article
Hulbe, C. L., LeDoux, C., & Cruikshank, K. (2010). Propagation of long fractures in the Ronne Ice Shelf, Antarctica, investigated using a numerical model of fracture propagation. Journal of Glaciology, 56(197), 459-472. doi: 10.3189/002214310792447743
Journal - Research Article
Hulbe, C. L., Wang, W., & Ommanney, S. (2010). Women in glaciology, a historical perspective. Journal of Glaciology, 56(200), 944-964. doi: 10.3189/002214311796406202
Journal - Research Article
Hulbe, C. L., Scambos, T. A., Youngberg, T., & Lamb, A. K. (2008). Patterns of glacier response to disintegration of the Larsen B ice shelf, Antarctic Peninsula. Global & Planetary Change, 63(1), 1-8. doi: 10.1016/j.gloplacha.2008.04.001
Journal - Research Article
Hulbe, C., & Fahnestock, M. (2007). Century-scale discharge stagnation and reactivation of the Ross ice streams, West Antarctica. Journal of Geophysical Research, 112, F03S27. doi: 10.1029/2006JF000603
Journal - Research Article
Hulbe, C. L., Johnston, R., Joughin, I., & Scambos, T. (2005). Marine ice modification of fringing ice shelf flow. Arctic, Antarctic & Alpine Research, 37(3), 323-330.
Journal - Research Article
Hulbe, C. L., & Fahnestock, M. A. (2004). West Antarctic ice-stream discharge variability: Mechanism, controls and pattern of grounding-line retreat. Journal of Glaciology, 50(171), 471-484. doi: 10.3189/172756504781829738
Journal - Research Article
Hulbe, C. L., MacAyeal, D. R., Denton, G. H., Kleman, J., & Lowell, T. V. (2004). Catastrophic ice shelf breakup as the source of Heinrich event icebergs. Paleoceanography, 19, PA1004. doi: 10.1029/2003PA000890
Journal - Research Article
Hulbe, C. L., Wang, W., Joughin, I. R., & Siegert, M. J. (2003). The role of lateral and vertical shear in tributary flow toward a West Antarctic ice stream. Annals of Glaciology, 36(1), 244-250. doi: 10.3189/172756403781816194
Journal - Research Article
Parizek, B. R., Alley, R. B., & Hulbe, C. L. (2003). Subglacial thermal balance permits ongoing grounding-line retreat along the Siple Coast ofWest Antarctica. Annals of Glaciology, 36(1), 251-256. doi: 10.3189/172756403781816167
Journal - Research Article
Scambos, T., Hulbe, C., & Fahnestock, M. (2003). Climate-induced ice shelf disintegration in the Antarctic peninsula. Antarctic Research Series, 79, 79-92. doi: 10.1029/079ARS07
Journal - Research Article
Wang, W., Zwally, H. J., Hulbe, C. L., Siegert, M. J., & Joughin, I. (2003). Anisotropic ice flow leading to the onset of Ice Stream D, West Antarctica: Numerical modelling based on the observations from Byrd Station borehole. Annals of Glaciology, 37(1), 397-403. doi: 10.3189/172756403781815591
Journal - Research Article
Price, S. F., Bindschadler, R. A., Hulbe, C. L., & Blankenship, D. D. (2002). Force balance along an inland tributary and onset to Ice Stream D, West Antarctica. Journal of Glaciology, 48(160), 20-30. doi: 10.3189/172756502781831539
Journal - Research Article
Hulbe, C. L. (2001). How ice sheets flow. Science, 294(5550), 2300-2301. doi: 10.1126/science.1066730
Journal - Research Article
Price, S. F., Bindschadler, R. A., Hulbe, C. L., & Joughin, I. R. (2001). Post-stagnation behavior in the upstream regions of Ice Stream C, West Antarctica. Journal of Glaciology, 47(157), 283-294. doi: 10.3189/172756501781832232
Journal - Research Article
Hulbe, C. L., Joughin, I. R., Morse, D. L., & Bindschadler, R. A. (2000). Tributaries to West Antarctica ice streams: Characteristics deduced from numerical modelling of ice flow. Annals of Glaciology, 31(1), 184-190. doi: 10.3189/172756400781819969
Journal - Research Article
Scambos, T. A., Hulbe, C., Fahnestock, M., & Bohlander, J. (2000). The link between climate warming and break-up of ice shelves in the Antarctic Peninsula. Journal of Glaciology, 46(154), 516-530. doi: 10.3189/172756500781833043
Journal - Research Article
Hulbe, C. L., & MacAyeal, D. R. (1999). A new numerical model of coupled inland ice sheet, ice stream, and ice shelf flow and its application to the West Antarctic Ice Sheet. Journal of Geophysical Research: Solid Earth, 104(B11), 25349-25366. doi: 10.1029/1999JB900264
Journal - Research Article
Joughin, I., Gray, L., Bindschadler, R., Price, S., Morse, D., Hulbe, C., … Werner, C. (1999). Tributaries of West Antarctic ice streams revealed by RADARSAT interferometry. Science, 286(5438), 283-286. doi: 10.1126/science.286.5438.283
Journal - Research Article
Hulbe, C. L., Rignot, E., & MacAyeal, D. R. (1998). Comparison of ice-shelf creep flow simulations with ice-front motion of Filchner-Ronne Ice Shelf, Antarctica, detected by SAR interferometry. Annals of Glaciology, 27, 182-186. doi: 10.3198/1998AoG27-1-182-186
Journal - Research Article
MacAyeal, D. R., Rignot, E., & Hulbe, C. L. (1998). Ice-shelf dynamics near the front of the Filchner-Ronne Ice Shelf, Antarctica, revealed by SAR interferometry: Model/interferogram comparison. Journal of Glaciology, 44(147), 419-428. doi: 10.3198/1998JoG44-147-419-428
Journal - Research Article