SUBSURFACE IMAGING OF COASTAL, FLUVIAL, TECTONIC, AND GLACIAL GEOMORPHIC LANDSCAPES IN AOTEAROA | NEW ZEALAND: RECENT FIELD RESULTS FROM AN INTERNATIONAL FELLOWS PROGRAM

Through the application of subsurface imaging methods, in particular ground penetrating radar (GPR), the presentation will provide field results as well as demonstrate how the International Fellows Program at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire provides a unique field-based opportunity for undergraduate students. The students on this program come from underrepresented populations within the field geosciences and travelled internationally to do original field research at select geomorphic sites within Aotearoa | New Zealand. We work with our in-country partners, including the Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha | University of Canterbury as well as interact and learn from the Māori community. The project investigated multiple sites within Te Waipounamu / South Island using GPR. The GPR technique is based on the propagation and reflection of pulsed high frequency electromagnetic energy. This field technique can provide near surface, high resolution (dm to m scale), near continuous profiles of many coarser-grained sediments (sediments of low electrical conductivity). GPR has become a popular method for investigation of the shallow subsurface geomorphic environment because of the above properties, and the availability of portable robust, digital GPR systems. The presentation will highlight results from a high energy fluvial bar dominated by cobble size sediment within the Lower Buller Gorge and which also shows a >7m package of steeply dipping reflections, a fault system originally mapped due to its geomorphic expression and confirmed with GPR transects, coastal deposition both north and south of the Banks Peninsula as well as how surface sediments can influence one’s imaging of glacial environments. The experience has provided the opportunity for students to further develop their own social and intercultural skillsets as well as increase their confidence as researchers, particularly as one’s from underrepresented populations. Furthermore, the field intensive nature of the collaborative project