UC Spark

Dr Heather Purdie

Geography

Fields of Research

  • Glacier Mass Balance
  • Glacier Dynamics
  • Alpine/Polar Environments
  • Antarctic Glaciology

Researcher Summary

My primary area of research is in the field of glaciology. In particular, investigating relationships between glacier mass balance and climate in the Southern Alps of New Zealand. However, my research extends beyond just consideration of natural processes, also exploring interactions between people and alpine/polar environments.

Subject Area: Disciplines

Future Research

  • The importance of secondary accumulation processes (e.g. avalanche) to glacier mass balance.
  • Impact of ongoing glacial retreat to glacier related tourism.

Key Methodologies

  • Direct measurement of glacier mass balance and alpine climates.
  • Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) surveys.
  • Geographical Information System (GIS) analysis of glacial environments.

Publications


  • Purdie, H. (2013) Glacier retreat and glacier tourism: Potential for collaboration of science and industry. Dunedin, New Zealand: Snow and Ice Research Group (NZ) Annual Workshop, 11-13 Feb. (Conference Contribution - Oral presentation)
  • 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. (Conference Contribution - Oral presentation)
  • 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. (Journal Article)
  • 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. (Journal Article)
  • Purdie H., Mackintosh A. and Lawson W., Anderson B. (2011) Inter-annual variability in net accumulation on Tasman Glacier and its relationship with climate. Fox Glacier, New Zealand: Snow and Ice Research Group (NZ) Annual Workshop, 9-11 Feb 2011. (Conference Contribution - Oral presentation)
  • 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. (Journal Article)
  • Purdie, H., Bertler, N., Mackintosh, A., Baker, J. and Rhodes, R. (2010) Isotopic and Elemental Changes in Winter Snow Accumulation on Glaciers in the Southern Alps of New Zealand. Journal of Climate 23(18): 4737-4749. http://dx.doi.org/10.1175/2010JCLI3701.1. (Journal Article)
  • Purdie H., Mackintosh A. and Lawson W., Anderson B. (2010) Synoptic influences on snow accumulation on glaciers in the Southern Alps of New Zealand. Valdivia, Chile: International Glaciological Conference (VICC 2010), 1-3 Feb 2010. (Conference Contribution - Poster presentation)
  • Purdie H. (2008) Controls on spatial and temporal variation in glacier accumulation, Southern Alps, New Zealand. Cass Field Station, Canterbury, New Zealand: New Zealand Snow and Ice Research Group (SIRG) Annual Workshop, 4-6 Feb 2008. (Conference Contribution - Oral presentation)
  • Purdie, H.L., Brook, M.S., Fuller, I.C. and Appleby, J. (2008) Seasonal variability in velocity and ablation of Te Moeka o Tuawe/Fox Glacier, South Westland, New Zealand. New Zealand Geographer 64(1): 5-19. http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1745-7939.2008.00123.x. (Journal Article)
  • Brook M., Purdie H. and Crow T. (2005) Valley cross-profile morphology and glaciation in Park Valley, Tararua Range, New Zealand. Journal of the Royal Society of New Zealand 35: 399-407. (Journal Article)