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The Yellow Creek Alluvial Fan Dynamics and Impact to Tourism Infrastructure in the Fox Valley

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The Yellow Creek Alluvial Fan Dynamics and Impact to Tourism Infrastructure in the Fox Valley The Yellow Creek Alluvial Fan Dynamics and Impact to Tourism Infrastructure in the Fox Valley A thesis submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the Degree of Master of Science In Environmental Science by Stefanie L. Tibbotts University of Canterbury 2018 i Abstract Alluvial fans are dynamic depositional landforms that are susceptible to abrupt changes influenced by fluctuations in sediment supplies. In paraglacial environments alluvial fans display accelerated aggradation due to the extraordinary influxes of sediment into the system following glacier retreat. This thesis examines how a paraglacial alluvial fan in the Fox Valley has evolved over time, and assess the impact of fan dynamics on tourism infrastructure as well as probabilities of walking track closures. The study area is a significant tourism destination for the West Coast of New Zealand, with the Franz Josef and Fox Glaciers attracting 400,000 visitors to the area each year. Structure from motion (SfM), aerial imagery analysis, experimental physical modelling, binary regression statistics and chronological investigations using a Schmidt hammer, have all been incorporated into the methodology of this research. The findings of this research identified that between 2015-2017, there had been a mean elevation change of 1.94 m (+/- 30 cm) across Yellow fan, signifying a significant amount of aggradation that impacted the walking track locality. Noticeable changes on other fans within the valley displayed a similar aggrading trend, which has influenced the locality of the active Fox River channel, and has consequently increased the vulnerably of potential damage to infrastructure. The research also indicated that there is a 17.7% chance the glacier walking track could be closed on any given day linking track closure to rainfall events. Overall the significance of this research provides insight into the relationship between the dynamic paraglacial processes within the Fox Valley and impacts on tourism infrastructure. i Acknowledgments This thesis has been part of a long journey at the University of Canterbury and I would like to thank all the people that have helped me along the way. Firstly, I would like to thank my supervisory team, Dr Heather Purdie, Prof. Stefan Winkler and Dr Chris Gomez. Thank you for all the support, feedback and help you have provided along the way. Thank you to Heather and Chris for the multiple opportunities to travel to the West Coast, the support within the field and continuous encouragement along the way has always been valued. Thank you to the Brian Mason Scientific & Technical Trust for financial support covering field costs. A special thank you to Stefan for an excellent field trip on one of your visits to New Zealand, it was a great experience to complete some of my field work with you and gain knowledge from your glacial geomorphology expertise. A special extra thank you to Heather, you have been amazing! With all the issues that have arisen, your positive outlook and continued support has kept me inspired all the way to the end. Thank you to the wonderful technical team in the Geography Department, John Thyne, Justin Harrison, Nick Key and Paul Bealing. For always helping with equipment, software dilemmas and general enquires I always had. It was great to learn how to use the field equipment, which will only be beneficial for my future career. A big thank you to Dr Sam McColl from Massy University and the Department of Conservation, specifically Wayne and Owen for providing valuable data, enabling this research to be completed. To my wonderful friends and fellow geography postgrad students I have met along the way. It has been great to work with you all and get to know you. I have definitely made some lifelong friendships! Thanks for providing great banter and useful advice when needed. To my family, thank you for all your support while I have pursued my university studies over the years. You have always helped when needed and I would not be where I am today without you. Finally, you can be rest assured that I will be now finished with university and can get a job. Lastly, to Patrick, I cannot thank you enough for the amount of support you have provided me, couldn’t have done it without you. ii Table of Contents Abstract ................................................................................................................................................... i Acknowledgments .................................................................................................................................. ii Table of Contents .................................................................................................................................. iii List of Figures ......................................................................................................................................... vi List of Tables ........................................................................................................................................ viii List of Abbreviations ............................................................................................................................. ix Terminology ............................................................................................................................................ x Chapter 1: Introduction .......................................................................................................................... 1 1.1. Introduction ................................................................................................................................. 1 1.2. Research Objectives ..................................................................................................................... 3 1.3. Thesis Structure ........................................................................................................................... 3 Chapter 2: Study Site .............................................................................................................................. 4 2.1. The Fox Valley .............................................................................................................................. 4 2.2 Geology ......................................................................................................................................... 6 2.3. Geomorphology ........................................................................................................................... 6 2.4. Glacial History .............................................................................................................................. 6 2.5 Weather and climate .................................................................................................................... 7 Chapter 3: Background Information ...................................................................................................... 9 3.1. Paraglacial environments ........................................................................................................... 9 3.2 Alluvial Fan Characteristics ........................................................................................................ 11 3.2.1 Alluvial Fans ......................................................................................................................... 11 3.2.2 Fan dynamics........................................................................................................................ 12 3.2.3 Hydrology and Channel Dynamics ....................................................................................... 13 3.2.4 Alluvial Fan Environments .................................................................................................... 14 3.2.5 Influence on Evolution and Shape Variations ...................................................................... 14 3.2.6 Time scale............................................................................................................................. 15 3.3 Hazards ....................................................................................................................................... 15 3.3.1 Alluvial Fan Hazards ............................................................................................................. 15 3.3.2 Glacier Hazards .................................................................................................................... 16 3.3.3 Paraglacial Hazards .............................................................................................................. 16 iii 3.4 Anthropogenic Influences .......................................................................................................... 16 3.4.1 Urbanisation on Alluvial Fans ............................................................................................... 16 3.4.2 Typical mitigation structures ............................................................................................... 17 3.5 Tourism in the Fox Valley ........................................................................................................... 17 3.5.1 Tourism to the Area ............................................................................................................. 17 3.5.2 Current Management Plans ................................................................................................. 18 Chapter 4: Methodology Data Acquisition and Processing ...............................................................
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