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Dr Sarah McSweeney

Contact

Department: School of Earth and Environment

Email: sarah.mcsweeney@canterbury.ac.nz

Direct Dial: +64 3 3691891

Office:

Language: English

About
Research / Creative works

Fields of Research

  • Coastal geomorphology
  • Estuary processes
  • Coastal landform evolution
  • Coastal and estuary management
  • Ocean waves and shoreline change
  • Estuary entrance dynamics

Researcher Summary

I am a coastal geomorphologist whose research interests lie at the interface of coastal physical processes, landform evolution, and management. My research aims to understand how interacting physical processes control the morphodynamics and evolution of coastal landforms, and how these processes and landforms are in turn impacted by human activities.

Principle scientific questions that drive my research include: Where is sediment eroded, transported, and stored across the coastal zone? How will coastal landforms respond to changing boundary conditions over tidal to geological timescale? And how does geologic setting influence natural and human processes? To answer these questions, I use a combination of field, lab, and modelling methods to collect empirical data. I then use this data to predict past, present-day, and future behaviour with an emphasis on producing information that is useful for managers and policy makers. My research interests and expertise can be summarised by three semi-overlapping research topics: (1) estuary entrance processes (2) the evolution of estuaries and barrier systems, and (3) shoreline change in response to ocean wave processes. I am passionate about undertaking research that can contribute to improving our understanding how coastal processes may change in future (e.g. under climate change and sea level rise) and that is useful in practice for coastal communities and managers.

Subject Area: Disciplines

  • Earth Sciences: Geomorphology; Physical Geography; Sedimentology

Research/Scholarly/Creative Works

Journal Articles
  • Gao J., Kennedy DM., Konlechner TM., McSweeney S., Chiaradia A. and McGuirk M. (2022) Changes in the vegetation cover of transgressive dune fields: A case study in Cape Woolamai, Victoria. Earth Surface Processes and Landforms 47(3): 778-792. http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/esp.5284.
  • Köhler M., Shulmeister J., Patton NR., Rittenour TM., McSweeney S., Ellerton DT., Stout JC. and Hüneke H. (2021) Holocene evolution of a barrier-spit complex and the interaction of tidal and wave processes, Inskip Peninsula, SE Queensland, Australia. Holocene 31(9): 1476-1488. http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/09596836211019092.
  • McSweeney S., Stout J. and Savige T. (2021) Basin infill increases seaward sediment delivery in small, tide-dominated estuaries. Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science 258 http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ecss.2021.107441.
  • Barrowcliffe R., McSweeney S., da Silva GM. and Santini T. (2020) Crashing Into Sisterhood: An All-Female Fieldwork Expedition in Moon Point Area, K'gari (Fraser Island, Australia). Journal of Coastal Research 101(sp1): 419-424. http://dx.doi.org/10.2112/JCR-SI101-077.1.
  • Kennedy DM., McSweeney SL., Mariani M. and Zavadil E. (2020) The geomorphology and evolution of intermittently open and closed estuaries in large embayments in Victoria, Australia. Geomorphology 350 http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.geomorph.2019.106892.
  • Kennedy DM., Oliver TSN., Tamura T., Murray-Wallace CV., Thom BG., Rosengren NJ., Ierodiaconou D., Augustinus P., Leach C. and Gao J. (2020) Holocene evolution of the Ninety Mile Beach sand barrier, Victoria, Australia: The role of sea level, sediment supply and climate.. Marine Geology 430 http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.margeo.2020.106366.
  • McSweeney SL. (2020) Temporal and spatial variability of the open coast wave climate of Victoria, Australia. Marine and Freshwater Research 71(3): 394-413. http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/MF18489.
  • McSweeney SL., Stout JC. and Kennedy DM. (2020) Variability in infragravity wave processes during estuary artificial entrance openings. Earth Surface Processes and Landforms 45(13): 3414-3428. http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/esp.4974.
  • Kamstra P., Cook B., Kennedy DM., McSweeney S., Rijksen E. and Daw S. (2019) Expert perceptions of the ‘freak’ wave myth on Australia's rocky coasts. Ocean and Coastal Management 173: 104-113. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ocecoaman.2019.02.015.
  • Kelly JT., McSweeney S., Shulmeister J. and Gontz AM. (2019) Bimodal climate control of shoreline change influenced by Interdecadal Pacific Oscillation variability along the Cooloola Sand Mass, Queensland, Australia. Marine Geology 415 http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.margeo.2019.105971.
  • McSweeney S. and Shulmeister J. (2018) Variations in wave climate as a driver of decadal scale shoreline change at the Inskip Peninsula, southeast Queensland, Australia. Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science 209: 56-69. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ecss.2018.04.034.
  • McSweeney SL., Kennedy DM. and Rutherfurd ID. (2018) The daily-scale entrance dynamics of intermittently open/closed estuaries. Earth Surface Processes and Landforms 43(4): 791-807. http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/esp.4280.
  • McSweeney SL., Kennedy DM. and Rutherfurd ID. (2017) A geomorphic classification of intermittently open/closed estuaries (IOCE) derived from estuaries in Victoria, Australia. Progress in Physical Geography 41(4): 421-449. http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/0309133317709745.
  • McSweeney SL., Kennedy DM., Rutherfurd ID. and Stout JC. (2017) Intermittently Closed/Open Lakes and Lagoons: Their global distribution and boundary conditions. Geomorphology 292: 142-152. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.geomorph.2017.04.022.
  • McSweeney SL., Hart DE., Todd DJ. and Kennedy DM. (2016) Changes in the frequency and duration of closures of the opihi hapua following construction of the Opuha Dam. Journal of Coastal Research 1(75): 88-92. http://dx.doi.org/10.2112/SI75-018.1.

Research Groups

  • Earth Atmosphere Processes
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