UC Research Profile - University of Canterbury

Dr Matthew William Hughes

Contact

Department: Civil and Natural Resources Engineering ; QuakeCore

Email: matthew.hughes@canterbury.ac.nz

Direct Dial: +64 3 3694599

Office: Civil & Natural Resources Engineering E446

Language: English

About

Research / Creative works

Fields of Research

Disaster risk and resilience
Disaster impacts on ecosystems, infrastructure systems and communities
Climate adaptation
Humanitarian engineering
Materials and ecosystem approaches for space habitation

Researcher Summary

I am currently conducting geospatial research on the impacts of the 2010-2011 Canterbury Earthquake Sequence on Christchurch City's infrastructure lifelines. This work is focussing on the potable water and waste water systems and the road network, to understand how ground deformation (transient seismic shaking, permanent deformation via liquefaction and lateral spreading) has caused the spatio-temporal patterns in infrastructure damage we see. I collaborate with members of the Christchurch City Council and the Stronger Christchurch Infrastructure Rebuild Team. The lessons arising from this research have important implications for understanding lifeline performance and resilience in future earthquakes in New Zealand and around the world.

My background is in paleoclimate and landscape evolution, and I have a strong intereste in understanding the dynamic interactions between seismic and climate hazrds, and their impacts on both urban and rural populations.

I also teach a 4th-year Geographic Information Systems course in the Natural Hazards Programme (Geological Sciences), and run a professional course at the University of Canterbury Risk, Resilience and Renewal Centre (UCR3), entitled Geospatial Technologies in Hazard/Disaster Assessment and Emergency Response.

Subject Area: Disciplines

Earth Sciences: Climatology ; Geological Sciences ; Geomorphology
Engineering and Technology: Civil ; Earthquake Engineering ; Materials ; Resource/Environment Engineering
Resilience: Social: Culture and Heritage ; Education ; Emergency Management Planning ; People and Community
Resilience: Physical: Buildings ; Environmental ; Ground Acceleration ; Infrastructure ; Lifelines ; Rockfall and Slope Stability ; Seismicity
Resilience: Technological: Geospatial Analysis and Remote Sensing ; Information Technology and Telecommunications
Coastal Research: Seawater intrusion vulnerability ; Tsunami risk modelling

Research/Scholarly/Creative Works

Journal Articles

McKibbon D., Blake D., Wilson T., Wotherspoon L. and Hughes M. (2019) A geospatial assessment of critical infrastructure impacts and adaptations in small rural towns following the 14 November 2016 (Kaikōura) earthquake, New Zealand. Japanese Geotechnical Society Special Publication 6(2): 19-29. http://dx.doi.org/10.3208/jgssp.v06.GIZ04.

Williams JH., Wilson TM., Horspool N., Lane EM., Hughes MW., Davies T., Le L. and Scheele F. (2019) Tsunami impact assessment: development of vulnerability matrix for critical infrastructure and application to Christchurch, New Zealand. Natural Hazards 96(3): 1167-1211. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s11069-019-03603-6.

Bagriacik A., Davidson R., Hughes MW., Bradley B. and Cubrinovski M. (2018) Comparison of statistical and machine learning approaches to modeling earthquake damage to water pipelines. Soil Dynamics and Earthquake Engineering 112: 76-88. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.soildyn.2018.05.010.

Davies AJ., Sadashiva V., Aghababaei M., Barnhill D., Costello SB., Fanslow B., Headifen D., Hughes MW., Kotze R. and Mackie J. (2017) Transport infrastructure performance and management in the South Island of New Zealand, during the first 100 days following the 2016 Mw 7.8 “Kaikōura” Earthquake. Bulletin of the New Zealand Society for Earthquake Engineering 50(2): 271-299.

Hayes J., Wilson TM., Deligne NI., Cole J. and Hughes MW. (2017) A model to assess tephra clean-up requirements in urban environments. Journal of Applied Volcanology 6(1): 23. http://dx.doi.org/10.1186/s13617-016-0052-3.

Hayes J., Wilson TM., Deligne NI., Cole JW. and Hughes M. (2017) A model to assess tephra clean-up requirements in urban environments. Journal of Applied Volcanology http://dx.doi.org/10.1186/s13617-016-0052-3.

Hughes MW., Nayyerloo M., Bellagamba X., Morris J., Brabhaharan P., Rooney S., Hobbs E. and Wooley K. (2017) Impacts of the 14th November 2016 Kaikōura Earthquake on three waters systems in Wellington, Marlborough and Kaikōura, New Zealand: Preliminary observations. New Zealand Society for Earthquake Engineering Bulletin 50(2): 306-317.

Power W., Clark K., King DN., Borrero J., Howarth J., Lane EM., Goring D., Goff J., Chagué-Goff C. and Williams J. (2017) Tsunami runup and tide-gauge observations from the 14 November 2016 M7.8 Kaikōura earthquake, New Zealand. Pure and Applied Geophysics 174(7): 2457-2473. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00024-017-1566-2.

Monk CB., van Ballegooy S., Hughes MW. and Villeneuve M. (2016) Liquefaction Vulnerability Increase at North New Brighton due to Subsidence, Sea Level Rise, and Reduction in Thickness of the Non-Liquefying Layer. Bulletin of the New Zealand Society for Earthquake Engineering 49(4): 334-340.

Morgenroth J., Hughes MW. and Cubrinovski M. (2016) Object-based image analysis for mapping earthquake-induced liquefaction ejecta in Christchurch, New Zealand. Natural Hazards 82(2): 763-775. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s11069-016-2217-0.

Quigley MC., Hughes MW., Bradley BA., van Ballegooy S., Reid CM., Morgenroth J., Horton TW., Duffy B. and Pettinga JR. (2016) The 2010-2011 Canterbury Earthquake Sequence: Environmental effects, seismic triggering thresholds and geologic legacy. Tectonophysics 672–673: 228-274. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.tecto.2016.01.044.

Townsend D., Lee JM., Strong DT., Jongens R., Smith Lyttle B., Ashraf S., Rosser B., Perrin N., Lyttle K. and Cubrinovski M. (2016) Mapping surface liquefaction caused by the September 2010 and February 2011 Canterbury earthquakes: a digital dataset. New Zealand Journal of Geology and Geophysics 59(4): 496-513. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/00288306.2016.1182929.

Hughes MW., Quigley MC., Van Ballegooy S., Deam BL., Bradley BA., Hart DE. and Measures R. (2015) The sinking city: Earthquakes increase flood hazard in Christchurch, New Zealand. GSA Today 25(3-4): 4-10. http://dx.doi.org/10.1130/GSATG221A.1.

Cubrinovski M., Hughes M. and O'Rourke TD. (2014) Impacts of liquefaction on the potable water system of Christchurch in the 2010-2011 Canterbury (NZ) earthquakes. Journal of Water Supply: Research and Technology - AQUA 63(2): 95-105. http://dx.doi.org/10.2166/aqua.2013.004.

Cubrinovski M., Winkley A., Haskell J., Palermo A., Wotherspoon L., Robinson K., Bradley B., Brabhaharan P. and Hughes M. (2014) Spreading-induced damage to short-span bridges in Christchurch, New Zealand. Earthquake Spectra 30(1): 57-83. http://dx.doi.org/10.1193/030513EQS063M.

O'Rourke T., Jeon SS., Toprak S., Cubrinovski M., Hughes M., van Ballegooy S. and Bouziou D. (2014) Earthquake Response of Underground Pipeline Networks in Christchurch, NZ. Earthquake Spectra 30(1): 183-204. http://dx.doi.org/10.1193/030413EQS062M.

Cubrinovski M., Robinson K., Taylor M., Hughes M. and Orense R. (2012) Lateral spreading and its impacts in urban areas in the 2010-2011 Christchurch earthquakes. New Zealand Journal of Geology and Geophysics 55(3): 255-269. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/00288306.2012.699895.

Cubrinovski M., Robinson K., Taylor M., Hughes M. and Orense R. (2012) Lateral spreading and its impacts in urban areas in the 2010-2011 Christchurch earthquakes. New Zealand Journal of Geology and Geophysics 55(4): 255-269. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/00288306.2012.699895.

Hughes MW., Almond PC., Roering JJ. and Tonkin PJ. (2010) Late Quaternary loess landscape evolution on an active tectonic margin, Charwell Basin, South Island, New Zealand. Geomorphology 122(3-4): 294-308. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.geomorph.2009.09.034.

Hughes MW., Almond PC. and Roering JJ. (2009) Increased sediment production via bioturbation at the last glacial-interglacial transition. Geology 37(10): 919-922. http://dx.doi.org/10.1130/G30159A.1.

Hughes MW., Schmidt J. and Almond PC. (2009) Automatic landform stratification and environmental correlation for modelling loess landscapes in North Otago, South Island, New Zealand. Geoderma 149(1-2): 92-100. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.geoderma.2008.11.024.

Walther SC., Roering JJ., Almond PC. and Hughes MW. (2009) Long-term biogenic soil mixing and transport in a hilly, loess-mantled landscape: Blue Mountains of southeastern Washington. Catena 79(2): 170-178. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.catena.2009.08.003.

Alloway., V B., Lowe., J D., Barrell., A DJ., Newnham., M R., Almond. and C P. (2007) Towards a climate event stratigraphy for New Zealand over the past 30 000 years (NZ-INTIMATE project). Journal of Quaternary Science 22(1): 9-35. http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/jqs.1079.

Conference Contributions - Published

Scott A., Oze C., Hughes MW., Bevin S. and Wisbey C. (2018) Performance of a Magnesia Silica Cement for Martian Construction. In EARTH AND SPACE 2018: ENGINEERING FOR EXTREME ENVIRONMENTS: 629-636.

Hughes MW., Bello-Mendoza R., Cunningham M., Sharp K., McMeeking S. and Manning R. (2017) Towards integration of the Māori world view and engineering: A case study on student design projects for the Koukourārata community, Aotearoa/New Zealand. Sydney, Australia: 28th Australasian Association for Engineering Education Conference (AAEE2017), 10-13 Dec 2017. In Proceedings of the 28th Australasian Association for Engineering Education Conference (AAEE2017): 378-389.

Hart DE., Byun DS., Giovinazzi S., Hughes MW. and Gomez C. (2015) Relative Sea Level Changes on a Seismically Active Urban Coast: Observations from Laboratory Christchurch. Auckland, New Zealand: Australasian Coasts & Ports Conference 2015, 15-18 Sep 2015. In Australasian Coasts & Ports Proceedings: 6pp.

Lee RL., Bradley BA., Pettinga J., Hughes M. and Graves RW. (2014) Ongoing development of a 3D seismic velocity model for Canterbury, New Zealand for broadband ground motion simulation. Auckland, New Zealand: New Zealand Society for Earthquake Engineering Conference, 21-23 Mar 2014.

Conference Contributions - Other

Hughes MW. (2017) Signs of Life? Reflections on planetary habitability and the responsibilities of young galactic civilisations. Westport, New Zealand: Second Annual New Zealand Space and Astrobiology Workshop, 10-11 Apr 2017.

Hughes MW. (2016) Sea-level rise in Christchurch, New Zealand: Seismic-climate dynamics, urban landscape evolution, and societal responses. Vietnam National University, Hanoi, Vietnam: Eighth International Conference on Climate Change: Impacts & Responses, 21-22 Apr 2016.

Hughes MW. (2016) Signs of Life? Reflections on planetary habitability and the responsibilities of young galactic civilisations. Kaikoura, New Zealand: Inaugural New Zealand Astrobiology Workshop, 17-19 Jan 2016.

Bradley BA., Lee RL., Thomson EM., Ghisetti F., McGann CR., Pettinga J. and Hughes MW. (2015) 3D Canterbury Velocity Model (CantVM) - Version 1.0. Palm Springs, CA, USA: 2015 Southern California Earthquake Centre Annual Meeting (SCEC), 12-16 Sep 2015.

Cubrinovski M., Taylor M., Henderson D., Winkley A., Haskell J., Bradley BA., Hughes M., Wotherspoon L., Bray J. and O'Rourke T. (2014) Key factors in the liquefaction-induced damage to buildings and infrastructure in Christchurch: Preliminary findings. Auckland, New Zealand: 2014 New Zealand Society for Earthquake Engineering Annual Conference (NZSEE), 21-23 Mar 2014.

Hayes J., Wilson TM., Deligne NI., Huges M. and Cole JW. (2014) Ash clean-up in Auckland. Auckland, New Zealand: 2014 Determining Volcanic Risk in Auckland Research Forum (DEVORA), 7-7 Nov 2014.

Hayes J., Wilson TM., Hughes M., Magill C., Cole JW. and Deligne NI. (2014) Pyroclastic fall and flow clean-up in Auckland City, New Zealand: quantitative impact assessment and response planning. Yogyakarta, Indonesia: Cities on Volcanoes 8, 9-13 Sep 2014.

Lee RL., Bradley BA., Pettinga JR., Hughes M. and Graves RW. (2013) A 3D seismic velocity model for Canterbury, New Zealand for broadband ground motion simulation. Palm Springs, CA, USA: Southern California Earthquake Center (SCEC) Annual Meeting, 8-11 Sep 2013.

Hart DE., Gomez C., Kirk RM., Hughes MW., Kelland E., Wood GV., Davis CA. and Giovinazzi S. (2012) Coastal quakes: New Zealand's underrated hazard complex. Auckland, New Zealand: New Zealand Coastal Society Annual Conference (NZCS), 14-16 Nov 2012.

Hughes M., Swaffield S., Hart D., Kirk B. and Cubrinovski M. (2012) Sea-level rise in Christchurch, New Zealand: Envisioning synergistic climate-seismic risks and exploring alternative futures in dynamic coastal landscapes. Wellington, New Zealand: 4th Digital Earth Summit, 2-4 Sep 2012.

Hughes M., Almond P., Roering J. and Tonkin P. (2009) Late Quaternary loess landscape evolution on an active tectonic margin, Charwell Basin, New Zealand. Melbourne, Australia: 7th International Conference on Geomorphology (ANZIAG), 6-11 Jul 2009.

Hughes MW. and Almond PC. (2007) Vegetation structure through the Last Glacial Maximum-Last Glacial Interglacial Transition in eastern South Island, New Zealand based on a phytolith record: A forested or grassed LGM? Cairns, Australia: XVII INQUA Congress - The Tropics: Heat Engine of the Quaternary, 28 Jul-3 Aug 2007.

Reports

Bradley BA., Comerio M., Cubrinovski M., Dellow S., Dizhur D., Elwood K., Giaretton M., Horspool N., Hughes MW. and Ingham J. (2017) QuakeCoRE, GEER, and EERI Preliminary Earthquake Reconnaissance Report: M7.8 Kaikōura, New Zealand Earthquake on November 14, 2016.24.

Cubrinovski M., Hughes M., Bradley B., Noonan J., McNeill S., English G. and Garcia Sampedro I. (2015) Horizontal Infrastructure Performance and Application of the Liquefaction Resistance Index Methodology in Christchurch City through the 2010-2011 Canterbury Earthquake Sequence.Commissioned by NHRP (Natural Hazards Research Platform). 58pp-58pp.

Allen J., Davis C., Giovinazzi S., Hart DE., Cochrane T., Deam B., De Pascale G., Hicks M., Holland D. and Hughes M. (2014) Geotechnical & flooding reconnaissance of the 2014 March flood event post 2010-2011 Canterbury earthquake sequence, New Zealand. In Report No. GEER035, GEER Association. Commissioned by Geotechnical Extreme Events Reconnaissance Association. 134. http://dx.doi.org/10.18118/G6001Z.

Cubrinovski M., Hughes M., Bradley BA., Noonan J., Hopkins R., McNeill S. and English G. (2014) Performance of horizontal infrastructure in Christchurch city through the 2010-2011 Canterbury earthquake sequence.University of Canterbury Research Report 2014-02. 139pp.

Cubrinovski M., Hughes M., Bradley B., McCahon I., McDonald Y., Simpson H., Cameron R., Christison M., Henderson B. and Orense R. (2011) Liquefaction Impacts on Pipe Networks: Short Term Recovery Project No. 6.University of Canterbury. Commissioned by Natural Hazards Research Platform & Christchurch City Council. 74pp.

Theses / Dissertations

Hughes MW. (2008) Late Quaternary Landscape Evolution and Environmental Change in Charwell Basin, South Island, New Zealand. Lincoln, New Zealand. Lincoln University.

Oral Presentations

Davies A., Wilson TM. and Hughes M. (2017) Project AF8: Impact of a future Alpine Fault Earthquake and SAFER plan. Greymouth, New Zealand: Electronet & West Coast CDEM Alpine Fault Workshop, 30 Nov 2017.

Davies A., Wilson TM., Hughes M. and Beaven S. (2017) Project AF8: Impact of a future Alpine Fault Earthquake and SAFER plan. Christchurch, New Zealand: NZ Transport Agency & Canterbury CDEM Alpine Fault Workshop, 02 Nov 2017.

Wild A., Wilson TM., Cole J., Hughes M., Thompson M-A., Lindsay J. and Cronin S. (2017) No crying over spilt milk: A volcanic ash fall hazard evacuation decision support tool for Taranaki dairy livestock. New Plymouth, New Zealand: Taranaki CDEM and Lifelines Group Annual Meeting, 18 Jul 2017.

Hart DE., Hughes MW. and Measures RJ. (2015) Earthquake effects on the coast and estuaries. Christchurch City Council, Christchurch, New Zealand: Natural Environment Recovery Programme updates 2015.

Hughes MW. (2015) Oral submission to the Christchurch City Council on the 2015-2045 Long-Term Infrastructure Plan 16.05.15 - Item 2 - Hearings of Submissions - Matthew Hughes. Christchurch City Council Chambers, Christchurch, New Zealand: Hearing of Sumbissions.

Hughes MW. (2015) Sea level past, present and future: issues for coastal communities in the Anthropocene. Sumner School Hall, Christchurch, New Zealand: Public talk to Sumner community.

Wilson TM., Hayes J., Deligne NI., Hughes M. and Cole JW. (2014) Volcanic Ash Clean Up and Disposal in Urban Environments. Te Puke, New Zealand: Bay of Plenty Engineering Lifelines Meeting.

Other

Hughes MW. (2016) Book Review: M. P. K. Sorrenson – Ko te Whenua te Utu / Land is the Price: Essays on Maori History, Land and Politics. Takahe Magazine(84).

Hughes MW. (2016) Book Review: White Ghosts, Yellow Peril: China and New Zealand 1790-1950 by Stevan Eldred-Grigg with Zeng Dazheng. Takahe Magazine 87.

Hughes MW. (2015) Book Review: Erik Olssen – Working Lives c. 1900, a photographic essay. Takahe Magazine(85).

Hughes MW. (2015) Book Review: Matthew Wright - Living on Shaky Ground: The science and story of New Zealand's earthquakes. Takahe Magazine 84.

Quigley MC. and Hughes MW. (2014) Where to next for our sinking city? Opinion piece in the Christchurch Press, 15th August 2014Where to next for our sinking city? Opinion piece in the Christchurch Press, 15th August 2014. .

Cubrinovski M. and Hughes M. (2011) Liquefaction map of Christchurch based on drive-through reconnaissance after the 13 June 2011 earthquake. University of Canterbury.

Cubrinovski M., Hughes MW. and McCahon I. (2011) Liquefaction Resistance Index (Zoning) map of Christchurch at water table depth based on liquefaction observations from the 2010-2011 earthquakes and water table depth information. University of Canterbury.

Additional Publications

Almond PC., Roering JJ., Hughes MW., Lutter FS. and LeBouteiller C. (2008) Climatic and anthropogenic effects on soil transport rates and hillslope evolution. In Schmidt J; Cochrane T; Phillips C; Elliot S; Davies T; Basher L (Ed.), Sediment Dynamics in Changing Environments: 417-424. Wallingford: International Association of Hydrological Sciences.

Research Groups

Search and Rescue Research Group (SRRG)