UC Spark

Associate Professor Ian Francis Owens

Geography

Fields of Research

  • Avalanches
  • Glaciology
  • Hazards
  • Mountain climatology
  • Mountain geomorphology
  • Snow hydrology

Researcher Summary

Research includes snow and ice studies and geomorphology in mountainous areas.
Specific interests include: avalanche hazards (mapping and forecasting in New Zealand), glacier studies on the Brewster and Franz Josef Glaciers (in conjunction with Wendy Lawson and others) and morphometric studies of fans resulting from a range of processes in Canada and New Zealand (in conjunction with Fes de Scally).

Subject Area: Disciplines

Research Groups

Publications


  • Anderson, B.M., Goodsell, B., Owens, I.F., Willis, I.C., Lawson, W.J. and Mackintosh, A.N. (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. (Conference Contribution - Abstract)
  • de Scally, F.A., Owens, I.F. and Louis, J. (2010) Controls on fan depositional processes in the schist ranges of the Southern Alps, New Zealand, and implications for debris-flow hazard assessment. Geomorphology 122(1-2): 99-116. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.geomorph.2010.06.002. (Journal Article)
  • 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. (Journal Article)
  • 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. (Journal Article)
  • Hendrikx, J., Owens, I., Carran, W. and Carran, A. (2006) Avalanche Risk Evaluation with Practical Suggestions for Risk Minimization: A Case Study of the Milford Road, New Zealand. Telluride, CO, USA: International Snow Science Workshop (ISSW2006), 1-6 Oct 2006. In International Snow Science Workshop 2006 Proceedings 757-767. (Conference Contribution - Paper in published proceedings)
  • 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. (Journal Article)
  • Hendrikx, J., Owens, I., Carran, W. and Carran, A. (2005) Avalanche activity in an extreme maritime climate: The application of classification trees for forecasting. Cold Regions Science and Technology 43: 104-116. (Journal Article)
  • Goodsell, B., Anderson, B., Lawson, W.J. and Owens, I.F. (2005) Outburst flooding at Franz Josef Glacier, south Westland, New Zealand. New Zealand Journal of Geology and Geophysics 48: 95-104. (Journal Article)
  • de Scally, F. and Owens, I.F. (2005) Processes and particle characteristics on fans in the Southern Alps, New Zealand. Geomorphology 69: 46-56. (Journal Article)
  • Irwin, D. and Owens, I. (2004) A history of avalanche accidents in Aotearoa New Zealand. Jackson Hole, USA: International Snow Science Workshop, 19-24 Sep 2004. (Conference Contribution - Other)
  • Hendrikx, J., Owens, I., Carran, W. and Carran, A. (2004) Examination of the spatial distribution of avalanche activity in relation to meteorological and topographic variables in an extreme alpine environment. Jackson Hole, USA: International Snow Science Workshop, 19-24 Sep 2004. (Conference Contribution - Other)
  • de Scally, F. and Owens, I.F. (2004) Morphometric controls and geomorphic responses on fans in the Southern Alps, New Zealand. Earth Surface Processes and Landforms 29(3): 311-322. (Journal Article)
  • Owens, I.F. and Fitzharris, B.B. (2004) Seasonal snow and water. In J. Harding, P. Mosley, C. Pearson and B. Sorrell (Ed.), Freshwaters of New Zealand: 5.1 – 5.12. Wellington: NZ Hydrological Society and NZ Limnological Society. (Chapter in Book)
  • de Scally, F. and Owens, I.F. (2003) Alluvial fans in the Southern Alps: Differentiation of depositional processes using morphometry and particle characteristics. Auckland: 22nd New Zealand Geographical Society Conference, 6-11 Jul 2003. 68-72. (Conference Contribution - Other)
  • Oliphant, A.J., Spronken-Smith, R.A., Sturman, A.P. and Owens, I.F. (2003) Spatial variability of surface radiation fluxes in mountainous terrain. Journal of Applied Meteorology 42(1): 113-128. (Journal Article)
  • Kossmann, M., Sturman, A.P., Zawar-Reza, P., McGowan, H.A., Oliphant, A.J., Owens, I.F. and Spronken-Smith, R.A. (2002) Analysis of the wind field and heat budget in an alpine lake basin during summertime fair weather conditions. Meteorology and Atmospheric Physics 81(1-2): 27-52. (Journal Article)
  • Owens, I. (2002) Natural hazards. In Sturman, A.P., Spronken-Smith, R. (Ed.), Introduction to the Physical Environment - a New Zealand Perspective (First ed.): 427-446. Melbourne: Oxford University Press. (Chapter in Book)
  • de Scally, F., Slaymaker, O. and Owens, I. (2001) Morphometric controls and basin response in the Cascade Mountains. Geografiska Annaler 83(A)(3): 117-30. (Journal Article)
  • Owens, I. (2001) Natural Hazards. In Andrew Sturman and Rachel Spronken-Smith (Ed.), The physical environment: a New Zealand perspective: 427-446. Melbourne, Australia: Oxford University Press. (Chapter in Book)
  • Sturman, A.P., Owens, I.F. and Fitzharris, B.B. (2001) Precipitation processes and water storage. In Sturman, A.P. and Spronken-Smith, R.A. (Ed.), The physical environment: a New Zealand perspective (Chapter 9 ed.): 152-174. Melbourne, Australia: Oxford University Press. (Chapter in Book)
  • Kossmann, M., Sturman, A.P., Zawar-Reza, P., McGowan, H.A., Oliphant, A.J., Owens, I.F. and Spronken-Smith, R.A. (2000) Analysis of the wind and temperature field in an alpine lake basin. Aspen, CO, USA: 9th Conference on Mountain Meteorology, American Meteorological Society, 7-11 Aug 2000. In Proceedings 9th Conference on Mountain Meteorology, American Meteorological Society 312-313. (Conference Contribution - Paper in published proceedings)
  • Smart, C.C., Owens, I.F., Lawson, W. and Morris, A.L. (2000) Exceptional ablation arising from rainfall-induced slushflows: Brewster Glacier, New Zealand. Hydrological Processes 14: 1045-52. (Journal Article)
  • Perry, G.L.W., Sparrow, A D. and Owens, I. (1999) A GIS-supported model for the simulation of the spatial structure of wildland fire, Cass Basin, New Zealand. Journal of Applied Ecology 36: 502-18. (Journal Article)
  • Fitzharris, B., Lawson, W. and Owens, I.F. (1999) Research on glaciers and snow in New Zealand. Progress in Physical Geography 23(4): 469-500. (Journal Article)
  • Owens, I., Tyndall, A. and Weir, P. (1998) Problems in dealing with solid precipitation hazards. Christchurch, NZ: Proceedings of the Natural Hazards Management Workshop. Institute of Geological & Nuclear Sciences information series 45., 1998. 85-9.. (Conference Contribution - Other)
  • Hochstein, M.P., Watson, M.I., Malengreau, B., Nobes, D.C. and Owens, I. (1998) Rapid melting of the terminal section of the Hooker Glacier (Mt Cook National Park, New Zealand). New Zealand Journal of Geology and Geophysics 41: 203-18. (Journal Article)
  • Brazier, V., Kirkbride, M.P. and Owens, I.F. (1998) The relationship between climate and rock glacier distribution in the Ben Ohau range, New Zealand. Geografiska Annaler 80A: 3-4. (Journal Article)
  • Tyson, P.D., Sturman, A.P., Fitzharris, B.B., Mason, S.J. and Owens, I.F. (1997) Circulation changes and teleconnections between glacial advances on the west coast of New Zealand and extended spells of drought years in South Africa. International Journal of Climatology 17: 1499-1512. (Journal Article)
  • McKendry, I.G., Sturman, A.P. and Owens, I.F. (1988) Interactions between local winds and coastal sea surface temperatures near the Canterbury coast. New Zealand Journal of Marine and Freshwater Research 22: 91-100. (Journal Article)