New Zealand Journal of Geology & Geophysics abstracts

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A revision of mid–late Holocene marine terrace distribution and chronology at the Pakarae River mouth, North Island, New Zealand

Kate Wilson^1*

Kelvin Berryman²

Nicola Litchfield²

Tim Little¹

¹School of Earth Sciences
Victoria University of Wellington
PO Box 600
Wellington 6140, New Zealand

²GNS Science
PO Box 30368
Lower Hutt 5040, New Zealand

^*Present address: GNS Science, PO Box 30368, Lower Hutt 5040, New Zealand.

Abstract   A suite of seven marine terraces at the Pakarae River mouth, New Zealand, provide evidence for the highest Holocene coastal uplift rates adjacent to the Hikurangi Subduction Zone. New elevation, coverbed stratigraphy, and age data allow for a timely revision of the distribution, nomenclature, and chronology of these terraces. Terrace correlation primarily is based on the elevation of the wave-cut strath. Terrace preservation either side of the river is more equal than previously proposed. The age of abandonment of each terrace is c. 7 ka (T1), 4.3 ka (T2), 3.5 ka (T3), 2.89 ka (T4), 1.6 ka (T5), 0.91 ka (T6), and <0.91 ka (T7). The average Holocene tectonic uplift rate at Pakarae is 3.2 ± 0.8 mm/yr. The abandonment of each terrace, from T2 to T7, probably took place after a discrete uplift event. The average time interval between these events is 850 ± 450 yr and the average uplift magnitude is 2.7 ± 1.1 m per event. We infer that uplift has been accommodated by slip on an offshore reverse fault. Normal slip on the Pakarae Fault, at right angles to the margin, occurs at a comparatively slower rate and has probably made little contribution to coastal uplift.

Keywords   marine terraces; Pakarae River; coastal uplift; neotectonics

G06007; Online publication date 22 November 2006; Received 15 March 2006; accepted 18 October 2006

New Zealand Journal of Geology & Geophysics, 2006, Vol. 49: 477–489
0028–8306/06/4904–0477    © The Royal Society of New Zealand 2006

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