UC Research Profile - University of Canterbury

Professor Wendy Lawson

Contact

Department: College Office (Science) ; Geography

Email: wendy.lawson@canterbury.ac.nz

Direct Dial: +64 3 3694113

Office: Okeover 120

Language: English

About

Research / Creative works

Networks

Fields of Research

Antarctica
Glaciology
Hydrology

Researcher Summary

My research interests are mainly in glaciology, specifically in contemporary physical glaciological processes, with a timescale of interest focussed on 10-100 years. The key overarching theme of my research is understanding the response of ice masses to changing climatic inputs.

My work covers a wide range of environments, from the mid-latitude temperate glaciology of New Zealand's glaciers, to the polar glaciology of the Antarctic, where I work on outlet glacier behaviour and ice shelf response in the Ross Sea region of Antarctica.

I also have minor research interests in hydrology, especially glacier hydrology, and process and very recent glacial geomorphology.

Subject Area: Disciplines

Earth Sciences: Glaciology ; Hydrology ; Physical Geography

Research/Scholarly/Creative Works

Journal Articles

Gillespie MK., Lawson W., Rack W., Anderson B., Blankenship DD., Young DA. and Holt JW. (2017) Geometry and ice dynamics of the Darwin-Hatherton glacial system, Transantarctic Mountains. Journal of Glaciology 63(242): 959-972. http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/jog.2017.60.

Oliphant AJ., Hindmarsh RCA., Cullen NJ. and Lawson W. (2015) Microclimate and mass fluxes of debris laden ice surfaces in the Taylor Valley, Antarctica. Antarctic Science 27(1): 85-100. http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/S0954102014000534.

Anderson B., Willis I., Goodsell B., Banwell A., Owens I., Mackintosh A. and Lawson W. (2014) Annual to daily ice velocity and water pressure variations on Ka Roimata o Hine Hukatere (Franz Josef Glacier), New Zealand. Arctic, Antarctic and Alpine Research 46(4): 919-932. http://dx.doi.org/10.1657/1938-4246-46.4.919.

Marsh OJ., Rack W., Golledge NR., Lawson W. and Floricioiu D. (2014) Grounding-zone ice thickness from InSAR: inverse modelling of tidal elastic bending. Journal of Glaciology 60(221): 526-536. http://dx.doi.org/10.3189/2014JoG13J033.

Purdie H., Anderson B., Chinn T., Owens I., Mackintosh A. and Lawson W. (2014) Franz Josef and Fox Glaciers, New Zealand: Historic length records. Global and Planetary Change 121: 41-52. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.gloplacha.2014.06.008.

Marsh OJ., Rack W., Floricioiu D., Golledge NR. and Lawson W. (2013) Tidally induced velocity variations of the Beardmore Glacier, Antarctica, and their representation in satellite measurements of ice velocity. The Cryosphere 7: 1375-1384. http://dx.doi.org/10.5194/tc-7-1375-2013.

Purdie H., Anderson B., Lawson W. and Mackintosh A. (2011) Controls on spatial variability in snow accumulation on glaciers in the Southern Alps, New Zealand; as revealed by crevasse stratigraphy. Hydrological Processes 25(1): 54-63. http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/hyp.7816.

Purdie H., Mackintosh A., Lawson W. and Anderson B. (2011) Synoptic Influences on Snow Accumulation on Glaciers East and West of a Topographic Divide: Southern Alps, New Zealand. Arctic, Antarctic, and Alpine Research 43(1): 82-94. http://dx.doi.org/10.1657/1938-4246-43.1.82.

Purdie H., Mackintosh A., Lawson W., Anderson B., Morgenstern U., Chinn T. and Mayewksi P. (2011) Interannual variability in net accumulation on Tasman Glacier and its relationship with climate. Global and Planetary Change 77(3-4): 142-152. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.gloplacha.2011.04.004.

Zawar-Reza P., George S., Storey B. and Lawson W. (2010) Summertime boundary layer winds over the Darwin-Hatherton glacial system, Antarctica: Observed features and numerical analysis. Antarctic Science 22(Special Issue 6, The Latitudinal Gradient Project): 619-632. http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/S0954102010000817.

Lawson W. (2009) Edmund Percival Hillary 1918-2008. Norsk Geografisk Tidsskrift 63(4): 279-280. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/00291950903368581.

Willis I., Lawson W., Owens I., Jacobel B. and Autridge J. (2009) Subglacial drainage system structure and morphology of Brewster Glacier, New Zealand. Hydrological Processes 23(3): 384-396. http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/hyp.7146.

Anderson B., Lawson W. and Owens I. (2008) Response of Franz Josef Glacier Ka Roimata o Hine Hukatere to climate change. Global and Planetary Change 63(1): 23-30.

Anderson B., Lawson W., Owens I. and Goodsell B. (2006) Past and future mass balance of 'Ka Roimata o Hine Hukatere' Franz Josef Glacier, New Zealand. Journal of Glaciology 52(179): 597-607. http://dx.doi.org/10.3189/172756506781828449.

Glasser NF., Goodsell B., Copland L. and Lawson W. (2006) Debris characteristics and ice-shelf dynamics in the ablation region of the McMurdo Ice Shelf, Antarctica. Journal of Glaciology 52(177): 223-234. http://dx.doi.org/10.3189/172756506781828692.

Goodsell B., Anderson B., Lawson WJ. and Owens IF. (2005) Outburst flooding at Franz Josef Glacier, south Westland, New Zealand. New Zealand Journal of Geology and Geophysics 48: 95-104.

Anderson B., Hindmarsh R. and Lawson W. (2004) A modelling study of the response of the Hatherton Glacier to Ross Ice Sheet grounding line retreat. Global and Planetary Change 42(1-4): 143-153.

Foght J., Aislabie J., Turner S., Brown C., Ryburn J., Saul D. and Lawson W. (2004) Culturable bacteria in subglacial sediments and ice from two Southern Hemisphere glaciers. Microbial Ecology 47: 329-340.

Goodsell B., Anderson B. and Lawson W. (2004) Supraglacial routing of subglacial water at Franz Josef Glacier, South Westland, New Zealand. Journal of Glaciology 49(166): 469-470.

McKinzey K., Lawson W. and Kelly D. (2004) A new Little Ice Age chronology of the Franz Josef Glacier, Westland, New Zealand. Journal of the Royal Society of New Zealand 34(4): 381-394.

Goodsell B., Anderson B. and Lawson W. (2003) Supraglacoial routing of subglacial water at Franz Josef Glacier, South Westland. New Zealand Journal of Glaciology 49(166): 469-470.

Lawson W. and Elliott C. (2003) Strain-rate effects on the strength of debris-laden glacier ice. New Zealand Journal of Geology and Geophysics 46: 323-330.

Hindmarsh RC., Anderson BM., Arthern RJ., Kluiving SJ., Lawson WJ., Le Meur E. and Van der Wateren D. (2002) Measuring and modelling the Holocene Retreat of the Antarctic Ice Sheet. Eos Transactions AGU 83(19).

Hambrey MJ. and Lawson W. (2000) Structural style and deformation fields in glaciers: a review. Geological Society Special Publication 176: 59-83.

Lawson W., Sharp M. and Hambrey M. (2000) Deformation histories and structural assemblages of glacier ice in a non-steady flow regime. Geological Society Special Publication 176: 85-96.

Smart CC., Owens IF., Lawson W. and Morris AL. (2000) Exceptional ablation arising from rainfall-induced slushflows: Brewster Glacier, New Zealand. Hydrological Processes 14: 1045-1052.

Fitzharris B., Lawson W. and Owens IF. (1999) Research on glaciers and snow in New Zealand. Progress in Physical Geography 23(4): 469-500.

Lawson WJ. (1997) Spatial, temporal and kinematic characteristics of surges of Variegated Glacier, Alaska. Annals of Glaciology 24: 95-101.

Arnold NS., Willis IC., Sharp MJ., Richards KS. and Lawson WJ. (1996) A distributed surface energy-balance model for a small valley glacier. I. Development and testing for the Haut Glacier d'Arolla, Valais, Switzerland. Journal of Glaciology 42(140): 77-89.

Hubbard BP., Sharp MJ. and Lawson WJ. (1996) On the sedimentological character of Alpine basal ice facies. Annals of Glaciology 22: 187-193.

Lawson WJ. (1996) Structural evolution of Variegated Glacier, Alaska, USA., since 1948. Journal of Glaciology 42(141): 261-270.

Lawson WJ. (1996) The relative strengths of debris-laden basal ice and clean glacier ice: Some evidence from Taylor Glacier, Antarctica. Annals of Glaciology 23: 270-276.

Richards KS., Sharp MJ., Arnold N., Gurnell A., Clark M., Tranter M., Nienow P., Brown G., Willis I. and Lawson W. (1996) An integrated approach to modelling hydrology and water quality in glacierized catchments. Hydrological Processes 10(4): 479-508. http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/(SICI)1099-1085(199604.

Lawson WJ., Sharp MJ. and Hambrey MJ. (1994) The structural geology of a surge-type glacier. Journal of Structural Geology 16(10): 1447-1462. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/0191-8141(94)90008-6.

Sharp MJ., Jouzel J., Hubbard BP. and Lawson WJ. (1994) The character, structure and origin of the basal ice layer of a surge-type glacier. Journal of Glaciology 40(135): 327-340.

Sharp M., Richards KS., Willis I., Arnold N., Nienow P., Lawson W. and Tison JL. (1993) Geometry, bed topography and drainage system of the Haat Glacier d'Arolla, Switzerland. Earth Surface Processes and Landforms 18(6): 557-571. http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/esp.3290180608.

Sharp MJ., Lawson WJ. and Anderson RS. (1988) Tectonic processes in a surge-type glacier. Journal of Structural Geology 10(5): 499-515. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/0191-8141(88)90037-5.

Chapters

Lawson W. (2011) Glaciers of New Zealand. In Singh VP; Singh P; Haritashya UK (Ed.), Encyclopedia of Snow, Ice and Glaciers: 775. Heidelberg: Springer.

Lawson W. (2006) Environmental conditions, ice facies and glacier behaviour. In Knight PG (Ed.), Glacier Science and Environmental Change: 319-326. Oxford: Blackwell.

Lawson W. and Fitzsimons S. (2001) Glaciers and the environment. In Sturman A; Spronken-Smith R (Ed.), The physical environment: a New Zealand perspective: 269-289. Melbourne: Oxford University Press.

Lawson WJ. (2001) Antarctica. Worldbook Encyclopedia.

Conference Contributions - Other

Lawson WJ. (2015) New Zealand in the CRCSI. Melbourne, Australia: Cooperative Research Centre for Spatial Information Annual Conference, 24-26 Nov 2015.

Lawson WJ. (2014) Women in Antarctica? Perth, Australia: Cooperative Research Centre for Spatial Information Annual Conference, 2-4 Dec 2014.

Marsh O., Rack W., Golledge N., Lawson W. and Floricioiu D. (2014) Grounding-zone ice thickness from InSAR: Inverse modelling of tidal elastic bending. Vienna, Austria: European Geosciences Union General Assembly 2014 (EGU), 27 Apr-2 May 2014.

Noonan B., Lawson WJ., Zawar-Reza P. and Owens I. (2013) Climate of the Darwin Hatherton glacial system and the influence of the synoptic state. Dunedin, New Zealand: Snow & Ice Research Group (NZ) Annual Workshop, 11-13 Feb 2013.

Noonan B., Sirguey P., Rack W. and Lawson W. (2013) Snowfall detection in Antarctica using MODIS ground infrared reflectance. Dunedin, New Zealand: NZIS Conference: Celebrating the Past, Redefining the Future and SIRC NZ 2013 Conference, 29-31 Aug 2013.

Noonan B., Zawar-Reza P. and Lawson W. (2013) Surface climate of the Darwin-Hatherton, Transantarctic Mountains, with links to synoptic circulation. Madison, WI, USA: 8th Antarctic Meteorological Observation, Modeling, and Forecasting Workshop (AMOMF), 9-12 Jun 2013.

Lawson W. (2012) A New Zealand perspective: Similar but different. Brisbane, Australia: Cooperative Research Centre for Spatial Information Conference (CRCSI), 8-10 May 2012.

Marsh OJ., Rack W., Golledge NR. and Lawson W. (2012) Grounding zone ice thickness from satellite: Inverse modelling of tidal elastic bending. Twizel, New Zealand: Snow & Ice Research Group (NZ) Annual Workshop (SIRG), 13-15 Feb 2012.

Marsh OJ., Rack W., Golledge NR. and Lawson W. (2012) Satellite and GNSS identification of tidal flexure and velocity fluctuations in the grounding zone of outlet glaciers in the Transantarctic Mountains, Antarctica. Vienna, Austria: European Geosciences Union General Assembly (EGU), 22-27 Apr 2012.

Purdie H., Lawson W., Owens I., Kerr T. and Hewitt K. (2012) Secondary accumulation and its impact on glacier mass balance. Twizel, New Zealand: Snow & Ice Research Group (NZ) Annual Workshop (SIRG), 13-15 Feb 2012.

Anderson B., Goodsell B., Owens I., Willis I. and Lawson W. (2011) Diurnal to Decadal Ice Velocity Variations on Franz Josef Glacier (Ka Roimata o Hine Hukatere), South Westland, New Zealand. Melbourne, Australia: IUGG General Assembly, 3-3 Jul 2011.

Anderson BM., Goodsell B., Owens IF., Willis IC., Lawson WJ. and Mackintosh AN. (2011) Diurnal to decadal ice velocity variations on Franz Josef Glacier (Ka Roimata o Hine Hukatere), South Westland, New Zealand. Fox Glacier Township, New Zealand: Snow and Ice Research Group (NZ) Annual Workshop (SIRG 2011), 9-11 Feb 2011.

Rack W., Riger-Kusk M., Lawson W. and Anderson B. (2011) Characteristics of the Darwin-Hatherton Glacial System grounding zone, Antarctica. Melbourne, Australia: XXV International Union of Geodesy and Geophysics General Assembly, 28 Jun-7 Jul 2011.

Lawson W. and Elliott C. (2010) Mass Balance-Climate Relationships for New Zealand's Index Glaciers: A Statistical Modelling Approach. Queenstown, New Zealand: New Zealand Snow and Ice Reserach Group Annual Conference (SIRG 2010), 3-5 Feb 2010.

Lawson W., McWilliams Z., Riger-Kusk M. and Rack W. (2010) Surface structure of the Darwin and Hatherton Glaciers, Antarctica. Queenstown, New Zealand: New Zealand Snow and Ice Reserach Group Annual Conference (SIRG 2010), 3-5 Feb 2010.

Riger-Kusk M., Lawson W., Rack W., Anderson B. and Storey B. (2009) Results from a Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) Survey of the Darwin-Hatherton Glacial System, Antarctica. Auckland, New Zealand: Annual Antarctic Conference 2009, 1-3 Jul 2009.

Lawson W. (2007) Glaciology in Antarctica from Starting Blocks to Centre Stage. Wellington, New Zealand: Antarctica: 50 Years on The Ice, 2-6 Jul 2007.

Copland L., Lawson W. and Goodsell B. (2006) A century of change at the McMurdo Ice Shelf. Cambridge, UK: International Symposium on Cryospheric Indicators of Climate Change, 21-26 Aug 2006.

Willis I., Owens I., Lawson W. and Clendon P. (2006) Mass balance of Brewster Glacier, New Zealand, revealed by geodetic methods. Cambridge, UK: International Symposium on Cryospheric Indicators of Climate Change, 21-26 Aug 2006.

Clendon P. and Lawson W. (2005) Surface energetics of ablating ice on the McMurdo Ice Shelf, Antarctica. Beijing, China: Climate and Cryosphere (CliC): First Science Conference, 11 Apr 2005.

Clendon P., Lawson W. and Spronken-Smith R. (2005) Surface energetics of ablating ice on the McMurdo Ice Shelf, Antarctica. Hari Hari, New Zealand: NZ Snow and Ice Research Group Conference, 15 Jan 2005.

Copland L., Lawson W. and Clendon P. (2005) A 100 year record of change at the McMurdo Ice Shelf, Antarctica. Beijing, China: Climate and Cryosphere (CliC): First Science Conference, 11 Apr 2005.

Lawson W., Copland L., Goodsell B. and Clendon P. (2005) 100 years of change at the McMurdo Ice Shelf. Hari Hari, New Zealand: NZ Snow and Ice Research Group Conference, 15 Jan 2005.

Hubbard B. and Lawson W. (2003) A sedimentological interpretation of the relationships between glacigenic facies: Taylor Glacier, Antarctica. London, UK: BGRG/JAQR Conference on Cryopspheric Systems, 1 Jan 2003.

Lawson W. (2003) Volume change at Brewster Glacier, Southern Alps, 1986-1997. Auckland, New Zealand: New Zealand Geographical Society 22nd Conference, 1 Jul 2003.

Anderson B. and Lawson W. (2001) Mass balance of the Franz Josef Glacier: preliminary results. Dunedin, New Zealand: New Zealand Geographical Society Conference, 1 Jan 2001.

Bartholomew M. and Lawson W. (2001) Short-term velocity variation at the lower Franz Josef Glacier, New Zealand. Dunedin, New Zealand: New Zealand Geograhical Society Conference, 1 Jan 2001.

Elliott C. and Lawson W. (2001) Strain rate effects on the rheology of ice types at Taylor Glacier, Antarctica. Dunedin, New Zealand: New Zealand Geographical Society Conference, 1 Jan 2001.

Hawke A. and Lawson W. (2001) Sensitivity of proxy estimates of glacier mass balance to assumptions about steady-state equilibrium line altitude. Dunedin, New Zealand: New Zealand Geographical Society Conference, 1 Jan 2001.

Lawson W. (2001) Antarctic ice sheets. Christchurch, New Zealand: Antarctic Science System Workshop: Processes, Issues and Responses to Change, 1 Apr 2001.

Lawson W. (2001) Subglacial hydrology of the Fox Glacier, New Zealand. Dunedin, New Zealand: New Zealand Geographical Society Conference, 1 Jan 2001.

Lawson W. and Hubbard B. (1999) Sedimentological signatures of subglacial till deposition: Taylor Glacier, Antarctica. Wellington, New Zealand: 8th International Symposium on Antarctic Earth Science, 1 Jul 1999.

Lawson W., Owens I. and Autridge J. (1999) Hydrological systems at the Brewster Glacier: evidence from dye tracing experiments. Palmerson North, New Zealand: New Zealand Geographical Society Conference, 1 Jul 1999.

Owens IF., Lawson WJ. and Jacobel RW. (1999) Glacier radar studies on the Brewster Glacier, South Westland, New Zealand. Palmerson North, New Zealand: New Zealand Geographical Society Conference, 1 Jan 1999.

Lawson W., Autridge J. and Owens I. (1998) Geometry of subglacial water flow at Brewster Glacier, Southern Alps: an analysis of dye tracer experiments. Bristol, UK: International Glaciological Society British Branch Meeting, 1 Sep 1998.

Davey F. and Lawson W. (1997) Antarctic knowledge base review: earth sciences.. Christchurch, New Zealand: Antarctic Science Beyond 2000 Workshop, 1 Jan 1997.

Lawson W. (1997) Fundamentals of ice sheet behaviour. Wellington, New Zealand: Symposium on Antarctic Ice Sheet Behaviour, 1 Jan 1997.

Oral Presentations

Lawson W. (2012) Spatially enabling New Zealand through applied geospatial research. University of Canterbury, Christchurch, New Zealand: Women in Spatial Inaugural Christchurch branch meeting.

Lawson W. (2007) Dog sleds to satellites: Antarctica glaciology in practice. Canterbury Museum: Public Lecture Series.

Lawson W. (2000) Global climate change: How will the ice sheets respond? .

Additional Publications

Lawson W. (2015) New Zealand Geospatial Research and Development Priories and Opportunities 2016-2020. In Appendix, Commissioned by New Zealand Geospatial Office Land Information New Zealand.

Lawson W. (2015) New Zealand Geospatial research and Development priorities and Opportunities 2016-2020 - Overview.Commissioned by New Zealand Geospatial Office Land Information New Zealand.

Brogt E., Soutter A., Masters S. and Lawson W. (2014) Teaching for numeracy and mathematics transfer in tertiary science.Commissioned by Ako Aotearoa, National Centre for Tertiary Teaching Excellence. 18.

Lawson W. (2005) Ross Dependencies. Chicago: World Book Inc.

Lawson W. (2005) Vinson Massif. Chicago: World Book Inc.

Editorial Work

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Editorial Board, New Zealand Geographer Editorial Board Member ( 1997 - 2002)
INvited to join EDitorial Board of ...... Editorial Board Member ( 2010 - 2019)

Review and Refereeing