Earth and Environment News

15 October 2020

A renewed agreement between the University of Canterbury (UC) and the Council of Managers of National Antarctic Programs (COMNAP) will see the international Antarctic headquarters housed at UC until 2027.

07 October 2020

In the latest Climate Explained article for The Conversation, UC's Professor Simon Kingham considers the real impact of building and expanding motorways when it comes to the reduction of congestion and emissions.

30 September 2020

What do we do when our glaciers are on a constant retreat, but people still flock to them? “We need to work with nature not against it. As things get warmer, people will have to adapt their expectations.” Stuff.co.nz caught up with Dr Heather Purdie from UC’s School of Earth and Environment to discuss the state of Aotearoa New Zealand’s glacier tourism.

31 August 2020

British academics have found that trillions of tonnes of ice have disappeared from Earth since 1994. Radio New Zealand’s Karyn Hay caught up with the Head of UC’s School of Earth and Environment, Professor Jamie Shulmeister to discuss.

13 August 2020

A New Zealand-led international study of the crabeater seal population in Antarctica aims to understand environmental impacts on one of the southern-most mammals in the world.

10 August 2020

Pop Up Penguins are arriving to Christchurch schools as part of the PUP Learning Programme. Stuff journalist, Lee Kenny delves into the programme that provides opportunity for children to explore, learn and celebrate in the citywide art event.

15 July 2020

University of Canterbury (UC) research will receive nearly half of the Earthquake Commission’s (EQC) revamped $3 million University Research Programme to support EQC’s aim of building New Zealand’s resilience to natural hazards.

18 May 2020

The University of Canterbury (UC) has launched a new science podcast series to meet public demand for answers to the big issues facing our world.

14 May 2020

When New Zealand went into COVID-19 lockdown, University of Canterbury staff had to quickly find new ways to teach and support students remotely. This was a particular challenge for lab based courses. However, unique solutions have enabled students to carry on learning in lockdown.

29 April 2020

Cracked rocks on Whakaari (White Island) act like valves allowing gas to escape and releasing the build-up of pressure that triggers volcanic eruptions, new University of Canterbury research has found.

07 April 2020

Contact tracing technology has entered the discussion about COVID-19 – a health and medical geography expert at the University of Canterbury looks at the possibilities and why contact tracing is vital for combating the virus.

20 December 2019

MOVE Software Donation from Petroleum Experts Ltd helps Canterbury Researchers

10 December 2019

A paper from University of Canterbury (UC) alumnus Jacob Blokland published in United States palaeontology journal 'Palaentologica Electronica' this week, shows how an ancient penguin species discovered on the Rēkohu Chatham Islands helps bridge the gap between extinct giant penguins and their modern relatives.

08 November 2019

Unless climate change is slowed, emperor penguins will be marching towards extinction, according to a newly published study co-authored by a University of Canterbury (UC) scientist.

05 November 2019

Virtual field trips and a hi-tech game developed at the University of Canterbury (UC) are opening up new and inspiring horizons in science teaching. The projects have been shortlisted for a prestigious global competition in education innovation.

31 October 2019

Connecting students to the environment is as important as their education in the classroom, according to award-winning glaciologist Dr Heather Purdie, who received New Zealand tertiary teaching excellence honours at the 2019 Ako Aotearoa Awards last night.

07 October 2019

Magma is humanity’s final frontier. We have been to the moon, to the deepest oceans, but we have never ventured into a magma chamber. In this UC Connect public lecture, award-winning educator University of Canterbury volcanologist Associate Professor Ben Kennedy will encourage the audience to explore with him the different paths magma can take to the surface and the consequences.

03 October 2019

This summer, a University of Canterbury Chemistry and Law student is heading to Chile and Antarctica to represent Christchurch and New Zealand at the Antarctic Cities Youth Expedition.

31 July 2019

When assessing a patient’s health, one of the first things a doctor does is measure the patient’s vital signs. But how do you measure vital signs when your patient is a huge, endangered paikea humpback whale? New University of Canterbury (UC) research suggests drones might be the solution.

24 July 2019

Volcanologist Associate Professor Ben Kennedy has won the University of Canterbury’s highest award for tertiary teaching excellence, the UC Teaching Medal.

17 July 2019

Two native planting and restoration projects in Canterbury have received support from the One Billion Trees Fund, including a unique project led by the University of Canterbury (UC).

15 July 2019

When nineteenth century pubs and hotels were rediscovered beneath Canterbury following the 2010 and 2011 earthquakes, few people would have made the connection to ancient Rome.

03 July 2019

Infectious enthusiasm for their subject, extensive expertise and engaging teaching methods marked out three University of Canterbury (UC) academics for special recognition on 1 July.

27 June 2019

A Master of Geography student at University of Canterbury (UC) is one of four postgraduate students from across New Zealand to receive the NZ Post Antarctic Scholarship 2019.

18 June 2019

Gateway Antarctica researchers at University of Canterbury (UC) are delighted to be part of Antarctic Science Platform funding announced today.