Professor Christina Hulbe, Our people, School of Surveying, University of Otago, New Zealand

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

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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

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

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

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