UC Spark

Professor Tim Davies

Geological Sciences

Fields of Research

  • Rock mechanics
  • Fault dynamics
  • Coseismic landslides
  • rock and debris avalanche dynamics
  • Geomorphology
  • Hazard and disaster management
  • Natural resources engineering
  • River mechanics and management
  • Earthquake research

Researcher Summary

Application of geomorphology to prediction of landform response to disturbance, in particular in the context of natural hazard and disaster management. Mechanics of river and debris flow behaviour, and management of the resulting hazards. Analysis and modelling of the initiation and runout dynamics of large coseismic landslides. Formation and failure of landslide dams, dambreak floods and landslide-dam induced aggradation. Physical modelling of geomorphic processes.

Subject Area: Disciplines

Research Groups

Future Research

  • Seismic hazard mapping from tectonic geomorphology
  • Paleo-environmental significance of glacial moraines
  • Laboratory and DEM analysis of rock fragmentation and its application to faulting and large-scale mass movements
  • Initiation of large coseismic rock avalanches

Key Methodologies

  • theory
  • analogue modelling
  • integrated geomorphology
  • laboratory testing
  • DEM modelling

Research Service

  • Supervision of PhD, Masters and BSc(Hons) theses (2006-present)

Publications


  • Caruso, B.S., Ross, A., Shuker, C. and Davies, T. (2013) Flood hydraulics and impacts on invasive vegetation in a braided river floodplain, New Zealand. Environment and Natural Resources Research 3(1) http://dx.doi.org/10.5539/enrr.v3n1p92. (Journal Article)
  • Davies, T.R.H. (2013) Fluvial Systems in glacial and periglacial geomorphology: Fluvial Processes. In J. Schroder (Ed.), Treatise on Geomorphology: in press. Amsterdam: Elsevier. (Chapter in Book)
  • Davies, T.R.H., Phillips, C.J. and Warburton, J. (2013) Mountain and hillslope geomorphology: Processes, transport, deposition and landforms: Flow. In J. Schroder (Ed.), Treatise on Geomorphology: in press. Amsterdam: Elsevier. (Chapter in Book)
  • Reznichenko, N.V., Davies, T.R.H., Shulmeister, J. and Larsen, S.H. (2012) A new technique for identifying rock avalanche–sourced sediment in moraines and some paleoclimatic implications. Geology 40(4): 319-322. http://dx.doi.org/10.1130/G32684.1. (Journal Article)
  • Williams, S., Davies, T. and Cole, J. (2012) Catastrophic flank collapse on Ta'u island and subsequent tsunami: Has this occurred during the last 170 years. Science of Tsunami Hazards 31(3): 178-198. (Journal Article)
  • Starheim, C., Gomez, C., Davies, T., Lavigne, F. and Wassmer, P. (2012) Characterizing in-flow sediment dynamics of lahars affecting Mount Semeru, Indonesia. University of Canterbury, Christchurch, New Zealand: 6th Australasian Natural Hazards Management Conference, 21-22 Aug 2012. (Conference Contribution - Poster presentation)
  • Javernick, L., Brasington, J., Caruso, B., Davies, T.R.H. and Hicks, D.M. (2012) Creating high quality DEMs of large scale fluvial environments using structure-from-motion. Nelson, New Zealand: New Zealand Hydrological Society Annual Conference (NZHS), 27-30 Nov 2012. (Conference Contribution - Paper in published proceedings)
  • Javernick, L., Brasington, J., Caruso, B., Davies, T.R.H. and Hicks, D.M. (2012) Creating high quality DEMs of large scale fluvial environments using Stucture-from-Motion. Christchurch, New Zealand: Post Graduate Student Conference Day, Waterways Centre for Freshwater Management, 22 Nov 2012. (Conference Contribution - Oral presentation)
  • Davies, T.R.H., McSaveney, M.J. and Boulton, C.J. (2012) Elastic strain energy release from fragmenting grains: Effects on fault rupture. Journal of Structural Geology 38: 265-277. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jsg.2011.11.004. (Journal Article)
  • Beaupretre, S., Garambois, S., Manighetti, I., Malavieille, J., Sénéchal, G., Chatton, M., Davies, T., Larroque, C., Rousset, D., Cotte, N. and Romano, C. (2012) Finding the buried record of past earthquakes with GPR-based palaeoseismology: A case study on the Hope fault, New Zealand. Geophysical Journal International 189(1): 73-100. http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-246X.2012.05366.x. (Journal Article)
  • Reznichenko, N.V., Davies, T.R.H., Shulmeister, J. and Winkler, S. (2012) Influence of rock avalanches upon the formation of moraines and their subsequent palaeoclimatic interpretation: A critical appraisal. Zeitschrift für Geomorphologie Supplementary Issue 56(4): 37-54. http://dx.doi.org/10.1127/0372-8854/2012/S-00079. (Journal Article)
  • Kritikos, T., Davies, T.R. and Wilson, T.M. (2012) Multi-hazard assessment in tectonically active mountain fronts using tectonic geomorphology and GIS: Application to western Southern Alps of New Zealand. University of Canterbury, Christchurch, New Zealand: 6th Australasian Natural Hazards Management Conference, 21-22 Aug 2012. (Conference Contribution - Poster presentation)
  • Davies, T.R.H. and McSaveney, M.J. (2012) Rock-avalanche size and runout: Implications for landslide dams. In S.G. Evans, R.L. Hermanns, A. Strom and G. Scarascia-Mugnozza (Ed.), Natural and Artificial Rockslide Dams: 441-462. Heidelberg: Springer. (Chapter in Book)
  • Smith, G.M., Bell, D.H. and Davies, T.R.H. (2012) The Acheron rock avalanche deposit, Canterbury, New Zealand: Age and implications for dating landslides. New Zealand Journal of Geology and Geophysics 55(4): 375-391. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/00288306.2012.733947. (Journal Article)
  • McColl, S.T., Davies, T.R.H. and McSaveney, M.J. (2012) The effect of glaciation on the intensity of seismic ground motion. Earth Surface Processes and Landforms 37(12): 1290-1301. http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/esp.3251. (Journal Article)
  • Alexander, D.J., Shulmeister, J. and Davies, T. (2011) A steady-state mass-balance model for the Franz Josef glacier, New Zealand: testing and application. Geografiska Annaler: Series A, Physical Geography 93(1): 41-54. http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1468-0459.2011.00003.x. (Journal Article)
  • Davies, T. and McSaveney, M. (2011) Bedload sediment flux and flood risk management in New Zealand. Journal of Hydrology (New Zealand) 50(1): 181-190. (Journal Article)
  • Kelfoun, K. and Davies T. (2011) Comment on "A random kinetic energy model for rock avalanches: Eight case studies" by T. Preuth et al. Journal of Geophysical Research 116: F01014. http://dx.doi.org/10.1029/2010JF001916. (Journal Article)
  • Bazgard, A., Cundall, P.A. and Davies, T.R. (2011) Dynamic analysis of mountain response using PFC3D and FLAC3D. Melbourne, Australia: 2nd International FLAC/DEM Symposium, 14-16 Feb 2011. (Conference Contribution - Full conference paper)
  • Massey, C., McSaveney, M. and Davies, T. (2011) Evolution of an overflow channel across the Young River Landslide dam, New Zealand. Rome, Italy: Second World Landslide Forum, 3-9 Oct 2011. (Conference Contribution - Full conference paper)
  • Lajeunesse, E., Malverti, L., Lancien, P., Armstrong, L., Métivier, F., Coleman, S., Smith, C.E., Davies, T., Cantelli, A. and Parker, G. (2011) Fluvial and submarine morphodynamics of laminar and near-laminar flows: a synthesis. Sedimentology 57(1): 1-26. http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-3091.2009.01109.x. (Journal Article)
  • Alexander, D., Shulmeister, J. and Davies T. (2011) High basal melting rates within high-precipitation temperate glaciers. Journal of Glaciology 57(205): 789-795. (Journal Article)
  • Acharya, G., Cochrane, T.A., Davies, T. and Bowman, E. (2011) Quantifying and modeling post-failure sediment yields from laboratory scale soil erosion and shallow landslide experiments with silty loess. Geomorphology 129(1-2): 49-58. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.geomorph.2011.01.012. (Journal Article)
  • Strickert, G.E., Samarasinghe, S., Doscher, C. and Davies., T.R.H. (2010) A Gap Hazard Analysis: Initiating Policy Development with Mountainous Communities. Journal of Natural Resources Policy Research 2(4): 389-407. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/19390459.2010.511453. (Journal Article)
  • Shulmeister, J., Davies, T.R.H., Reznichenko, N. and Alexander, D.J. (2010) Comment on 'Glacial advance and stagnation caused by rock avalanches' by Vacco, D.A., Alley, R.B. and Pollard, D. Earth and Planetary Science Letters 297(3-4): 700-701. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.epsl.2010.06.046. (Journal Article)
  • Reznichenko, N., Davies, T., Shulmeister, J. and McSaveney, M. (2010) Effects of debris on ice-surface melting rates: an experimental study. Journal of Glaciology 56(197): 385-394. (Journal Article)
  • Davies, T. and McSaveney, M. (2010) Energy conservation in rock breakage: Implications for geophysical flows. Auckland, New Zealand: 11th Congress of the International Association for Engineering Geology and the Environment (IAEG), 5-10 Sep 2010. In Geologically Active: Proceedings of the 11th IAEG Congress (Conference Contribution - Paper in published proceedings)
  • McColl, S.T., Davies, T.R.H. and McSaveney, M.J. (2010) Glacier retreat and rock-slope stability: Debunking debuttressing. Auckland, New Zealand: 11th Congress of the International Association for Engineering Geology and the Environment (IAEG), 5-10 Sep 2010. In Geologically Active: Proceedings of the 11th IAEG Congress (Conference Contribution - Paper in published proceedings)
  • Dufresne, A.M., Davies, T.R.H. and McSaveney, M.J. (2010) Influence of runout path material on the emplacement of the Round Top rock avalanche, New Zealand. Earth Surface Processes and Landforms 35(2): 190-201. http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/esp.1900. (Journal Article)
  • Strickert, G.E. and Davies, T.R. (2010) Potential Hazards Consequences for New Zealand's Alpine Ski Areas: A field-based tectonic geomorphic approach. Journal of Mountain Development (Journal Article)
  • Davies, T., McSaveney, M. and Kelfoun, K. (2010) Runout of the Socompa volcanic debris avalanche, Chile: a mechanical explanation for low basal shear resistance. Bulletin of Volcanology 72(8): 933-944. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00445-010-0372-9. (Journal Article)
  • Deganutti, A., Davies, T. and McSaveney, M. (2010) Source of low friction in fragmenting granular shear flow. Auckland, New Zealand: 11th Congress of the International Association for Engineering Geology and the Environment (IAEG), 5-10 Sep 2010. In Geologically Active: Proceedings of the 11th IAEG Congress (Conference Contribution - Paper in published proceedings)
  • Strong, R. and Davies, T. (2010) The Influence Of The Shotover River On Lake Wakatipu Flood Hazard. Auckland, New Zealand: 17th Congress of the Asia and Pacific Division of the International Association of Hydro-Environment Engineering and Research, incorporating the 7th International Urban Watershed Management Conference, 21-24 Feb 2010. (Conference Contribution - Full conference paper)
  • Buech, F., Davies, T. and Pettinga, J.R. (2010) The Little Red Hill seismic experimental study: Topographic effects on ground motion at a bedrock-dominated mountain edifice. Bulletin of the Seismological Society of America 100(5A): 2219-2229. http://dx.doi.org/10.1785/0120090345. (Journal Article)
  • Shulmeister, J., Davies, T.R., Evans, D.J.A., Hyatt, O.M. and Tovar, D.S. (2009) Catastrophic landslides, glacier behaviour and moraine formation- A view from an active plate margin. Quaternary Science Reviews 28(11-12): 1085-1096. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.quascirev.2008.11.015. (Journal Article)
  • Jenkins, B. and Davies, T.R.H. (Ed.) (2009) Land Use Planning for Natural Hazards: Stewardship for the Future.. Christchurch: Centre for Advanced Engineering. 24pp. (Edited Book)
  • Dufresne, A. and Davies, T.R. (2009) Longitudinal ridges in mass movement deposits. Geomorphology 105(3-4): 171-181. (Journal Article)
  • Strickert, G.E., Samarasinghe, S. and Davies, T. (2009) Resilience models for New Zealand’s Alpine Skiers based on people’s knowledge and experience: a mixed method and multi-step fuzzy cognitive mapping approach. Cairns, Australia: 18th World IMACS Congress and MODSIM09 International Congress on Modelling and Simulation, 13-17 Jul 2009. (Conference Contribution - Full conference paper)
  • Boulton, C.J., Davies, T.R.H. and McSaveney, M.J. (2009) The frictional strength of granular fault gouge: application of theory to the mechanics of low-angle normal faults. In U. Ring and B. Wernicke (Ed.), Extending a Continent: Architecture, Rheological Coupling, and Heat Budget: 9-31. London: Geological Society of London. (Chapter in Book)
  • Acharya, G., Cochrane, T.A., Davies, T. and Bowman, E.T. (2009) The influence of shallow landslides on sediment supply: A flume-based investigation using sandy soil. Engineering Geology 109(3-4): 161-169. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.enggeo.2009.06.008. (Journal Article)
  • Chevalier, G.G., Davies, T.R.H. and McSaveney, M.J. (2009) The prehistoric Mt Wilberg rock avalanche, Westland, New Zealand. Landslides 6(3): 253-262. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10346-009-0156-5. (Journal Article)
  • Nash, T., Bell, D., Davies, T. and Nathan, S. (2008) Analysis of the formation and failure of Ram Creek landslide dam, South Island, New Zealand. New Zealand Journal of Geology and Geophysics 51(3): 187-193. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/00288300809509859. (Journal Article)
  • Santamaria Tovar, D., Shulmeister, J. and Davies, T.R. (2008) Evidence for a landslide origin of New Zealand's Waiho Loop moraine. Nature Geoscience 1(8): 524-526. http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/ngeo249. (Journal Article)
  • Davies, T.R.H. and McSaveney, M.J. (2008) Principles of sustainable development on fans. Journal of Hydrology (NZ) 47(1): 43-65. (Journal Article)
  • Bowman, E. and Davies, T. (2008) The recognition and identification of debris flow hazards for proposed development sites in New Zealand. Auckland, New Zealand: 18th New Zealand Geotechnical Society (NZGS) Geotechnical Symposium 2008, 4-6 Sep 2008. (Conference Contribution - Paper in published proceedings)
  • Davies, T.R., McSaveney, M.J. and Deganutti, A.M. (2007) Dynamic rock fragmentation causes low rock-on-rock friction. Vancouver, Canada: 1st Canada-U.S. Rock Mechanics Symposium, 27-31 May 2007. 8pp. (Conference Contribution - Full conference paper)
  • Davies, T.R.H. and McSaveney, M.J. (2007) Dynamic rock fragmentation in grain flow: application to large mass movements. Vienna, Austria: European Geosciences Union (EGU) General Assembly, 15-20 Apr 2007. In Geophysical Research Abstracts 9 03133. http://www.cosis.net/abstracts/EGU2007/03133/EGU2007-J-03133.pdf. (Conference Contribution - Abstract)
  • Davies, T.R., Boulton, C.J., McSaveney, M.J. and Bowman, L.T. (2007) Grain fragmentation: dynamic implications. San Francisco, CA, USA: American Geophysical Union (AGU) Fall Meeting, 10-14 Dec 2007. In Eos, Transactions, AGU 88 (52)(Fall Meeting Supplement) T11A-0336. (Conference Contribution - Abstract)
  • Davies, T.R.H. and Korup, O. (2007) Persistent alluvial fanhead trenching resulting from large, infrequent sediment inputs. Earth Surface Processes and Landforms 31(5): 725-742. http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/esp.1410. (Journal Article)
  • Becker, J.S., Johnston, D.M., Paton, D., Hancox, G.T., Davies, T.R., McSaveney, M.J. and Manville, V.R. (2007) Response to Landslide Dam Failure Emergencies: Issues Resulting from the October 1999 Mount Adams Landslide and Dam-Break Flood in the Poerua River, Westland, New Zealand. Natural Hazards Review 8: 35-42. http://dx.doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)1527-6988(2007)8:2(35). (Journal Article)
  • Eaton, B.C., Church, M. and Davies, T.R.H. (2006) A conceptual model for meander initiation in bedload-dominated streams. Earth Surface Processes and Landforms 31: 875-891. http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/esp.1297. (Journal Article)
  • Turnbull, J.M. and Davies, T.R.H. (2006) A mass movement origin for cirques. Earth Surface Processes and Landforms 31(9): 1129-1148. http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/esp.1324. (Journal Article)
  • Davies, T.R. and McSaveney, M.J. (2006) Geomorphic constraints on the management of bedload-dominated rivers. Journal of Hydrology 45(2): 111-130. (Journal Article)
  • Davies, T.R., McSaveney, M.J. and Beetham, R.D. (2006) Rapid block glides: slide-surface fragmentation in New Zealand's Waikaremoana landslide. Quarterly Journal of Engineering Geology and Hydrogeology 39(2): 115-129. http://dx.doi.org/10.1144/1470-9236/05-041. (Journal Article)
  • McSaveney, M.J. and Davies, T.R.H. (2006) Rapid Rock Mass Flow with Dynamic Fragmentation: Inferences from the Morphology and Internal Structure of Rockslides and Rock Avalanches. In S.G. Evans, G. Scarascia-Mugnozza, A. Strom and R.L. Hermans (Ed.), Landslides from Massive Rock Slope Failure: 285-304. New York: NATO Science Series: IV: Earth and Environmental Sciences, Volume 49. (Chapter in Book)
  • Smith, G.M., Davies, T.R., McSaveney, M.J. and Bell, D.H. (2006) The Acheron rock avalanche, Canterbury, New Zealand-morphology and dynamics. Landslides 3(1): 62-72. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10346-005-0012-1. (Journal Article)
  • Larsen, S.H., Davies, T.R.H. and McSaveney, M.J. (2005) A possible coseismic landslide origin of late Holocene moraines of the Southern Alps, New Zealand. New Zealand Journal of Geology & Geophysics 48(2): 311-314. (Journal Article)
  • Davies, T.R. and Turnbull, J.M. (2005) A seismic origin for cirques. In K Senneset, K Flaate, J.-O. Larsen (Ed.), Landslides and Avalanches, ICFL 2005 Norway: 89-94. London: Taylor & Francis Group. (Chapter in Book)
  • McSaveney, M.J. and Davies, T.R. (2005) Dynamics of large high-speed blockslides. In K. Senneset, K. Flaate and J-O. Larsen (Ed.), Landslides and Avalanches, ICFL 2005 Norway: 257-264. London: Taylor & Francis Group. (Chapter in Book)
  • McSaveney, M.J. and Davies, T.R.H. (2005) Engineering for debris-flows in New Zealand. In Jakob, M. and Hungr, O. (Ed.), Debris-flow Hazards and Related Phenomena: 635-658. Chichester: Springer Praxis Books. (Chapter in Book)
  • Hancox, G.T., McSaveney, M.J., Manville, V.R. and Davies, T.R. (2005) The October 1999 Mt Adams rock avalanche and subsequent landslide dam-break flood and effects in Poerua River, Westland, New Zealand. New Zealand Journal of Geology and Geophysics 48: 683-705. (Journal Article)
  • Arshad, W.A., Doscher, C. and Davies, T.R.H. (2004) Landslide dambreak hazard analysis in Westland, New Zealand - a GIS hazard. Singapore: 6th International Conference on Hydroinformatics, 21-24 Jun 2004. (Conference Contribution - Other)
  • Korup, O., McSaveney, M.J. and Davies, T.R.H. (2004) Sediment generation and delivery from large historic landslides in the Southern Alps, New Zealand. Geomorphology 61(1-2): 189-207. www.sciencedirect.com. (Journal Article)
  • Davies, T.R., Deganutti, A.M. and McSaveney, M.J. (2003) A high-stress rheometer for fragmenting rock. Naples: International Conference on Fast Slope Movements - Prediction and Prevention for Risk Mitigation (IC-FSM2003), 2003. 139-141. (Conference Contribution - Other)
  • Davies, T.R.H., McSaveney, M.J. and Clarkson, P.J. (2003) Anthropic aggradation of the Waiho River, Westland, New Zealand - microscale modelling. Earth Surface Processes and Landforms: the Journal of the British Geomorphological Research Group 28(2): 209-218. (Journal Article)
  • Davies, T.R.H., Turnbull, J.M. and Smart, C.C. (2003) Water and sediment outbursts from advanced Franz Josef Glacier, New Zealand. Earth Surfaces Processes and Landforms: the Journal of the British Geomorphological Research Group 28(10): 1081-1096. (Journal Article)
  • Davies, T.R.H. and McSaveney, M.J. (2002) Dynamic simulation of the motion of fragmenting rock avalanches. Canadian Geotechnical Journal 39(4): 789-798. (Journal Article)
  • Baillie, B.R. and Davies, T.R. (2002) Effects of land use on the channel morphology of streams in the Moutere Gravels, Nelson, New Zealand. Journal of Hydrology New Zealand 41(1): 19-45. (Journal Article)
  • Baillie, B.R. and Davies, T.R. (2002) Influence of large woody debris on channel morphology in native forest and pine plantation streams in the Nelson region, New Zealand. New Zealand Journal of Marine and Freshwater Research 36(1): 763-774. (Journal Article)
  • Davies, T.R. (2002) Landslide dambreak flood hazards at Franz Josef Glacier township, New Zealand: a risk assessment. Journal of Hydrology New Zealand 41(1): 1-17. (Journal Article)
  • Turnbull, J.M. and Davies, T.R.H. (2002) Subglacial sediment accumulation and basal smoothing - A mechanism for initiating glacier surging. Journal of Hydrology New Zealand 41(2): 105-123. (Journal Article)