Blowing up crevasses, cycling from New Zealand to France, climate change, and sea level rise

Dr Dan Price is a glaciologist with research work focussing on Antarctic sea ice thickness with satellite and airborne sensors. He has been to Antarctica 8 times for both scientific research and program and logistical support.

He developed crevasse avoidance techniques for heavy vehicle traverses across the world’s largest ice shelf- the Ross Ice Shelf which is roughly the size of France. This involved finding a new 1,000km long route across the West Antarctica using novel satellite techniques.

Dan took this theoretical investigation and was able to put it in to practise in Antarctica with his participation in the initial traverse. Dan has now driven across the Ross Ice Shelf 6 times.

In 2015 he led a campaign called Pole to Paris to draw attention to the COP21 climate conference. He cycled a push bike from New Zealand to France over an 8 month period passing though more than 18 countries. During this expedition he gave presentations about the threat of climate change to people who will most likely be affected by sea level rise.

He is currently the Chief Scientist for Christchurch based aerospace company Kea Aerospace, who are developing high altitude solar powered aircraft for earth observation. These initiatives will enhance our ability to respond to natural disasters by reducing the time it takes to assess impacts and damage from these events.

Dan remains involved in sea ice research at Gateway Antarctica at the University of Canterbury and plans to launch a project to undertake the largest sea ice study ever conducted in Antarctica by flying a sea ice measuring instrument 5,000km from New Zealand’s Scott Base to Australia’s Casey Station.

Dan has a bachelor of science from Cardiff University in Marine Sciences and a doctorate (PhD) in sea ice remote sensing from the University of Canterbury. He’s an Edmund Hillary Fellow and is actively involved in not for profit organisations.