Susan Ellis

Susan specialises in geodynamic modelling of crustal deformation, from short (human) to long (millions of years) timescales. Her work has involved development of innovative numerical methods to investigate the influence of faulting on stresses and earth deformation in New Zealand. She has participated in fieldwork and numerical modelling of continental rift mechanics in Papua New Guinea; fluid and magma generation and flow in the Taupo Volcanic Zone; and brittle-ductile deformation in the Southern Alps. Recently she has led a Marsden-funded research programme studying the mechanics of New Zealand’s Hikurangi subduction margin. Susan is a past president of the New Zealand Geophysics Society (now part of the New Zealand Geoscience Society) and has been a participant in 6 Marsden projects since 2004. She has also convened several scientific meetings including an international NSF-funded GeoPrisms workshop studying New Zealand tectonics.