DOCSLIB.ORG

Active Faults and Earthquake Sources in Cook Strait

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Active Faults and Earthquake Sources in Cook Strait It's Our Fault : Active Faults and Earthquake Sources in Cook Strait NIWA Client Report: WLG2008-56 June 2008 NIWA Project: IOF07301 It's Our Fault : Active Faults and Earthquake Sources in Cook Strait Philip M. Barnes 1 Nicolas Pondard 1 Geoffroy Lamarche 1 Joshu Mountjoy 1,2 Russell Van Dissen 3 Nicola Litchfield 3 1National Institute of Water & Atmospheric Research Ltd 2Department of Geological Sciences, University of Canterbury, Private Bag 4800, Christchurch, New Zealand. 3 GNS Science, PO. Box 30368, Lower Hutt, New Zealand. NIWA contact/Corresponding author Philip M. Barnes Prepared for GNS Science NIWA Client Report: WLG2008-56 June 2008 NIWA Project: IOF07301 National Institute of Water & Atmospheric Research Ltd 301 Evans Bay Parade, Greta Point, Wellington Private Bag 14901, Kilbirnie, Wellington, New Zealand Phone +64-4-386 0300, Fax +64-4-386 0574 www.niwa.co.nz All rights reserved. This publication may not be reproduced or copied in any form without the permission of the client. Such permission is to be given only in accordance with the terms of the client's contract with NIWA. This copyright extends to all forms of copying and any storage of material in any kind of information retrieval system. DISLCAIMER In preparing this report and accompanying electronic data, NIWA have used the best available information, and interpreted such information exercising reasonable skill and care. Nevertheless, neither NIWA nor GNS Science accept any liability, whether direct, indirect or consequential, arising out of the provision of information contained in this report, or provided otherwise by NIWA to GNS Science. This report was provided for the sole purpose of supporting the Its Our Fault Programme, and the National Seismic Hazard Model, and may not be used for any other purposes. All digital GIS data provided by NIWA to GNS Science is to be used for internal purposes only and is not to be distributed to a third party in any form without the prior written approval of NIWA . The report must be used in whole and can not be materially modified without NIWA’s consent . All rights reserved. This publication may not be reproduced or copied in any form without the permission of the client. Such permission is to be given only in accordance with the terms of the client's contract with NIWA. This copyright extends to all forms of copying and any storage of material in any kind of information retrieval system. Contents Executive Summary iv 1. Introduction 1 1.1 It’s Our Fault programme 1 1.2 Cook Strait project objectives and methodology 1 2. Data Sources 3 2.1 Seismic reflection data 3 2.2 Multibeam bathymetry and side-scan sonar data 3 2.3 Onshore fault data 4 3. Geological and Tectonic Background 4 3.1 Geometry and kinematics of the Australian-Pacific plate boundary 4 3.2 Cook Strait morphology and sedimentary basins 5 3.3 Previous studies of active faulting and earthquake sources 6 4. Late Quaternary Sediments and Stratigraphic Markers 6 5. Active Submarine Faulting in Cook Strait 7 5.1 Focus of new mapping 7 5.2 Results: Tectonic structures 8 5.2.1 Mana – Narrows Basin 8 5.2.2 Central Cook Strait 8 Wairau Fault 9 Awatere, Vernon, and Cloudy faults 9 Wellington, Ohariu, and Shepards Gully faults 10 Wairarapa, Nicholson Bank, and Wharekauhau faults 10 5.2.3 Eastern Marlborough – Southern Cook Strait 11 Kekerengu, Needles, Chancet and Campbell Bank faults 11 Boo Boo Fault 12 Hope and Te Rapa faults 12 5.2.4 Southern Hikurangi Margin 12 6. Earthquake Sources in Cook Strait 13 7. Conclusions 14 8. Acknowledgments 15 9. References 16 10. Figure Captions 26 Reviewed by: Approved for release by: Neville Ching Andrew Laing Executive Summary This study of active faulting and earthquake sources in Cook Strait is one of several simultaneous studies in the first two years of the Its Our Fault programme , aimed at identifying and constraining the location, size, and history of large earthquakes on major faults in the Wellington region. The objectives of this study of active faulting and earthquake sources in Cook Strait are to: (1) determine the location, geometry, segmentation, and rate of activity of major faults in Cook Strait; and (2) interpret these structures in terms of their potential as earthquake sources, with consideration to onshore-to-offshore fault relationships. These results are required for input into models of earthquake recurrence, seismic hazard, and plate boundary deformation. In this study, high-quality multibeam bathymetric data together with new and archived seismic reflection profiles are used to develop a new interpretation of active faults in Cook Strait. The findings are integrated with the onshore active fault database at GNS Science to reveal a complete deformation picture of the region. Submarine fault displacements and slip rates are determined where possible using seismic reflection markers, interpreted within the framework of glacio- eustatic sea-level fluctuations, and displaced seafloor features. Net slip rates quoted in this report are best estimates based on a combination of: (1) dextral slip rates on the onshore parts of faults which cross the coast; (2) estimated fault slip rates from submarine data; and (3) a geologically reasonable interpretation of predicted slip distribution within the plate boundary zone. Uncertainties in rates are typically large, of the order of 30-50%. The structural results of this study indicate the following: • In Cook Strait there is a general discontinuity between the major faults of North and South islands. However, despite the discontinuous nature of the faults, there is a first order alignment between the Wairau and Awatere faults in South Island and the Kapiti-Manawatu, Ohariu and Wellington Faults in North Island, and between the Kekerengu Fault in the South Island and the Boo Boo Fault and the Wairarapa Fault in North Island. • Many of the major faults are seaward extensions of faults onshore, however, numerous large structures are entirely submarine. • Whereas the predominant structural trend in South and North islands is SW-NE, faults in central and southern Cook Strait are predominantly E-W trending, dextral strike-slip faults with moderate to high slip rates. Submarine fault traces are typically 10 to 90 km long. Its Our Fault : Active Faults and Earthquake Sources in Cook Strait iv • The structure between Wellington and Blenheim indicates the faults accommodate a combination of strike-slip and extension, which is consistent with the Australian–Pacific plate motion vectors. In contrast, faults in southern Cook Strait accommodate a combination of strike-slip and compression, and local areas of active uplift are evident. • Off the western Wellington (Mana) coast, predominantly NE-SW striking reverse faults with relatively low slip rates are continuous with the southern components of the offshore Kapiti – Manawatu Fault System. Based on their shallow structure and tectonic geomorphology we infer the faults off the western coast of Wellington to potentially have a larger component of dextral displacement than those in the Kapiti – Manawatu Fault System further north. • The continental slope of southern Wairarapa and eastern Marlborough is dominated by NW- SE striking thrust faults. In Cloudy Bay, paleo-earthquake records have been derived for the offshore Wairau, Cloudy, and Vernon faults. Six paleo-earthquake ruptures are inferred on the offshore Wairau Fault since 12 ka. The last two events have timing and coseismic slip (vertical ~1-2 m) in good agreement with onshore data. From our longer record, we observe an average recurrence interval of ~2000 yrs for the Wairau Fault (similar to what has been inferred from onshore data based on single event displacement and slip rate considerations) and, importantly, variable duration of time between individual events (ranging from 700-3000 yrs). Four to five earthquakes are recognised on the Vernon Fault since 18 ka. These have spatially variable vertical slip per event (1.0-2.5 m) and variable time between individual events (ranging from 2000 to 6000 yrs) (average recurrence interval ~ 4000 yrs). The Cloudy Fault exhibits five events since 17 ka, with slip per event of 1.0- 4.0 m (mean ~3 m) and inter-event times that range from 1500 to 4000 yrs (with an average recurrence interval of ~3500 yrs). Interpreted earthquake sources in the upper crust, above the Hikurangi subduction megathrust, include some onshore to offshore fault ruptures, and some entirely marine sources. Estimates are presented for the moment magnitude (M w), coseismic displacement, and average recurrence interval for the earthquake sources. The results indicate potential earthquakes with magnitudes ranging from M w 6.6 to 7.9, and with recurrence intervals ranging from about 500 years to >20,000 years. Its Our Fault : Active Faults and Earthquake Sources in Cook Strait v 1. Introduction 1.1 It’s Our Fault programme The It’s Our Fault programme was established in 2006 to help Wellington become a more resilient city through a comprehensive study of the likelihood, size, and location of large earthquakes, and assessment of their impacts on the city and its region. The programme is funded by the Earthquake Commission (EQC), Accident Compensation Corporation (ACC), and Wellington Regional Council (WRC), is managed by GNS Science, and directionally overseen by a Steering Committee comprising members from each organisation. Its Our Fault will take about seven years, and includes four main components: Likelihood, Size, Effects and Impacts. In a national context, seismic risk is concentrated in the Wellington region and is predominantly the result of large earthquakes on the Wellington Fault. These risk estimates, though based on international best-practice, assume that earthquakes occur randomly in time and that large earthquakes on a given fault do not affect other nearby faults. Preliminary analysis indicates, however, that the 1855 M~8 Wairarapa earthquake may have delayed the next Wellington Fault earthquake, perhaps by as much as several hundred years.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Geology of the Wairarapa Area
    GEOLOGY OF THE WAIRARAPA AREA J. M. LEE J.G.BEGG (COMPILERS) New International NewZOaland Age International New Zealand 248 (Ma) .............. 8~:~~~~~~~~ 16 il~ M.- L. Pleistocene !~ Castlecliffian We £§ Sellnuntian .~ Ozhulflanl Makarewan YOm 1.8 100 Wuehlaplngien i ~ Gelaslan Cl Nukumaruan Wn ~ ;g '"~ l!! ~~ Mangapanlan Ql -' TatarianiMidian Ql Piacenzlan ~ ~;: ~ u Wai i ian 200 Ian w 3.6 ,g~ J: Kazanlan a.~ Zanetaan Opoitian Wo c:: 300 '"E Braxtonisn .!!! .~ YAb 256 5.3 E Kunaurian Messinian Kapitean Tk Ql ~ Mangapirian YAm 400 a. Arlinskian :;; ~ l!!'" 500 Sakmarian ~ Tortonisn ,!!! Tongaporutuan Tt w'" pre-Telfordian Ypt ~ Asselian 600 '" 290 11.2 ~ 700 'lii Serravallian Waiauan 5w Ql ." i'l () c:: ~ 600 J!l - fl~ '§ ~ 0'" 0 0 ~~ !II Lillburnian 51 N 900 Langhian 0 ~ Clifdenian 5e 16.4 ca '1000 1 323 !II Z'E e'" W~ A1tonian PI oS! ~ Burdigalian i '2 F () 0- w'" '" Dtaian Po ~ OS Waitakian Lw U 23.8 UI nlan ~S § "t: ." Duntroonian Ld '" Chattian ~ W'" 28.5 P .Sll~ -''" Whalngaroan Lwh O~ Rupelian 33.7 Late Priabonian ." AC 37.0 n n 0 I ~~ ~ Bortonian Ab g; Lutetisn Paranaen Do W Heretauncan Oh 49.0 354 ~ Mangaorapan Om i Ypreslan .;;: w WalD8wsn Ow ~ JU 54.8 ~ Thanetlan § 370 t-- §~ 0'" ~ Selandian laurien Dt ." 61.0 ;g JM ~"t: c:::::;; a.os'"w Danian 391 () os t-- 65.0 '2 Maastrichtian 0 - Emslsn Jzl 0 a; -m Haumurian Mh :::;; N 0 t-- Campanian ~ Santonian 0 Pragian Jpr ~ Piripauan Mp W w'" -' t-- Coniacian 1ij Teratan Rt ...J Lochovlan Jlo Turonian Mannaotanean Rm <C !II j Arowhanan Ra 417 0- Cenomanian '" Ngaterian Cn Prldoli
    [Show full text]
  • The 2016 Kaikōura Earthquake
    Earth and Planetary Science Letters 482 (2018) 44–51 Contents lists available at ScienceDirect Earth and Planetary Science Letters www.elsevier.com/locate/epsl The 2016 Kaikoura¯ earthquake: Simultaneous rupture of the subduction interface and overlying faults ∗ Teng Wang a, Shengji Wei a,b, , Xuhua Shi a, Qiang Qiu c, Linlin Li a, Dongju Peng a, Ray J. Weldon a,d, Sylvain Barbot a,b a Earth Observatory of Singapore, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore b Asian School of the Environment, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore c School of Earth and Environment, University of Leeds, United Kingdom d Department of Geological Science, University of Oregon, United States a r t i c l e i n f o a b s t r a c t Article history: The distribution of slip during an earthquake and how it propagates among faults in the subduction Received 2 August 2017 system play a major role in seismic and tsunami hazards, yet they are poorly understood because Received in revised form 22 October 2017 offshore observations are often lacking. Here we derive the slip distribution and rupture evolution during Accepted 26 October 2017 the 2016 Mw 7.9 Kaikoura¯ (New Zealand) earthquake that reconcile the surface rupture, space geodetic Available online xxxx measurements, seismological and tsunami waveform records. We use twelve fault segments, with eleven Editor: P. Shearer in the crust and one on the megathrust interface, to model the geodetic data and match the major Keywords: features of the complex surface ruptures. Our modeling result indicates that a large portion of the finite rupture model moment is distributed on the subduction interface, making a significant contribution to the far field strong motion surface deformation and teleseismic body waves.
    [Show full text]
  • Transpressional Rupture Cascade of the 2016 Mw 7.8
    PUBLICATIONS Journal of Geophysical Research: Solid Earth RESEARCH ARTICLE Transpressional Rupture Cascade of the 2016 Mw 10.1002/2017JB015168 7.8 Kaikoura Earthquake, New Zealand Key Points: Wenbin Xu1 , Guangcai Feng2, Lingsen Meng3 , Ailin Zhang3, Jean Paul Ampuero4 , • Complex coseismic ground 5 6 deformation can be explained by slip Roland Bürgmann , and Lihua Fang on six crustal fault segments 1 2 • Rupture process across multiple faults Department of Land Surveying and Geo-informatics, Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, China, School of 3 likely resulted from a triggering Geosciences and Info-Physics, Central South University, Changsha, China, Department of Earth Planetary and Space cascade between crustal faults Sciences, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA, 4Seismological Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, • Rupture speed was overall slow, but Pasadena, CA, USA, 5Department of Earth and Planetary Science, University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA, 6Institute of locally faster along individual fault segments Geophysics, China Earthquake Administration, Beijing, China Supporting Information: Abstract Large earthquakes often do not occur on a simple planar fault but involve rupture of multiple • Supporting Information S1 • Data Set S1 geometrically complex faults. The 2016 Mw 7.8 Kaikoura earthquake, New Zealand, involved the rupture of • Data Set S2 at least 21 faults, propagating from southwest to northeast for about 180 km. Here we combine space • Data Set S3 geodesy and seismology techniques to study subsurface fault geometry, slip distribution, and the kinematics of the rupture. Our finite-fault slip model indicates that the fault motion changes from predominantly Correspondence to: W. Xu, G. Feng, and L. Meng, right-lateral slip near the epicenter to transpressional slip in the northeast with a maximum coseismic surface [email protected]; displacement of about 10 m near the intersection between the Kekerengu and Papatea faults.
    [Show full text]
  • Late Quaternary Faulting in the Kaikoura Region, Southeastern Marlborough, New Zealand
    AN ABSTRACT OF THE THESIS OF Russell J. Van Dissen for the degree of Master of Science in Geology presented on February 15, 1989. Title: Late Quaternary Faulting in the Kaikoura Region, Southeastern Marlborough, New Zealand Redacted for privacy Abstract approved: Dr. Robert 8.0eats Active faults in the Kaikoura region include the Hope, Kekerengu, and Fidget Faults, and the newly discovered Jordan Thrust, Fyffe, and Kowhai Faults. Ages of faulted alluvial terraces along the Hope Fault and the Jordan Thrust were estimated using radiocarbon-calibrated weathering-rind measurements on graywacke clasts. Within the study area, the Hope Fault is divided, from west to east, into the Kahutara, Mt. Fyffe, and Seaward segments. The Kahutara segment has a relatively constant Holocene right-lateral slip rate of 20-32 mm/yr, and an earthquake recurrence interval of 86 to 600 yrs: based on single-event displacements of 3 to 12 m. The western portion of the Mt. Fyffe segment has a minimum Holocene lateral slip rate of 16 + 5 mm/yr .(southeast side up); the eastern portion has horizontal and vertical slip rates of 4.8+ 2.7 mm/yr and 1.7 + 0.2 mm/yr, respectively (northwest side up). There is no dated evidence for late Quaternary movementon the Seaward segment, and its topographic expression is much more subdued than that of the two western segments. The Jordan Thrust extends northeast from the Hope Fault, west of the Seaward segment. The thrust has horizontal and vertical slip rates of 2.2 + 1.3 mm/yr and 2.1 + 0.5 mm/yr, respectively (northwest side up), and a maximum recurrence interval of 1200 yrs: based on 3 events within the last 3.5 ka.
    [Show full text]
  • Contest 2015 Title: “Slip Rate and Paleoseismicity of the Kekerengu Fault: an Anchor Point for Deformation Rates and Seismic H
    Contest 2015 Title: “Slip Rate and Paleoseismicity of the Kekerengu Fault: An anchor point for deformation rates and seismic hazard through central New Zealand” Leader: Timothy A. Little Organisation: Victoria University of Wellington Total funding (GST ex): $182,778 Title: Slip Rate and Paleoseismicity of the Kekerengu Fault: An anchor point for deformation rates and seismic hazard through central New Zealand Programme Leader: Timothy A. Little Affiliation: Victoria University of Wellington Co-P.I.: Russ Van Dissen (GNS Science) A.I.: Kevin Norton (VUW) Has this report been peer reviewed? Provide name and affiliation. Part of it: the paper by Little et al. was published in 2018 in the Bulletin of Seismological Society of America, which is a peer-reviewed international journal. Table of Contents: 1. Key Message for Media 2. Abstract 3. Introduction/ Background 4. Research Aim 1: Determining Kekerengu Fault Paleoseismic History 5. Research Aim 2: Determining the Late Quaternary Slip Rate of the Kekerengu Fault 6. Conclusions & Recommendations 7. Acknowledgments 8. References 9. Appendices Key Message for Media: [Why are these findings important? Plain language; 5 sentences.] Prior to this study, little scientific data existed about the rate of activity and earthquake hazard posed by the active Kekerengu Fault near the Marlborough coast in northeastern South Island. Our study was designed to test the hypothesis that this fault carries most of the Pacific-Australia plate motion through central New Zealand, and is a major source of seismic hazard for NE South Island and adjacent regions straddling Cook Strait—something that had previously been encoded in the NZ National Seismic Hazard Model.
    [Show full text]
  • Quantifying the Incompleteness of New Zealand's Prehistoric
    Quantifying the incompleteness of New Zealand’s prehistoric earthquake record A. Nicol, R.J. Van Dissen, M.W. Stirling, M.C. Gerstenberger BIBLIOGRAPHIC REFERENCE Nicol, A.; Van Dissen, R.J.; Stirling, M.W., Gerstenberger, M.C. 2017. Quantifying the incompleteness of New Zealand’s prehistoric earthquake record. EQC project 14/668 Final Report, 25 p. A. Nicol, University of Canterbury, Private Bag 4800, Christchurch, New Zealand R.J. Van Dissen, PO Box 30368, Lower Hutt 5040, New Zealand M.W. Stirling, University of Otago, PO Box 56, Dunedin 9054, New Zealand M.C. Gerstenberger, PO Box 30368, Lower Hutt 5040, New Zealand EQC Project 14/668 Final Report 2 CONTENTS LAYMANS ABSTRACT ....................................................................................................... IV TECHNICAL ABSTRACT ..................................................................................................... V KEYWORDS ......................................................................................................................... V 1.0 INTRODUCTION ........................................................................................................ 6 2.0 DATA SOURCES ....................................................................................................... 8 2.1 Historical Earthquakes .................................................................................................. 8 2.2 active fault earthquake source identification ............................................................... 10 3.0 PROBABILITY OF
    [Show full text]
  • Variability in Single Event Slip and Recurrence Intervals for Large
    Variability of single event slip and recurrence intervals for large magnitude paleoearthquakes on New Zealand’s active faults A. Nicol R. Robinson R. J. Van Dissen A. Harvison GNS Science Report 2012/41 December 2012 BIBLIOGRAPHIC REFERENCE Nicol, A.; Robinson, R.; Van Dissen, R. J.; Harvison, A. 2012. Variability of single event slip and recurrence intervals for large magnitude paleoearthquakes on New Zealand’s active faults, GNS Science Report 2012/41. 57 p. A. Nicol, GNS Science, PO Box 30368, Lower Hutt 5040, New Zealand R. Robinson, PO Box 30368, Lower Hutt 5040, New Zealand R. J. Van Dissen, PO Box 30368, Lower Hutt 5040, New Zealand A. Harvison, PO Box 30368, Lower Hutt 5040, New Zealand © Institute of Geological and Nuclear Sciences Limited, 2012 ISSN 1177-2425 ISBN 978-1-972192-29-0 CONTENTS LAYMANS ABSTRACT ....................................................................................................... IV TECHNICAL ABSTRACT ..................................................................................................... V KEYWORDS ......................................................................................................................... V 1.0 INTRODUCTION ........................................................................................................ 1 2.0 GEOLOGICAL EARTHQUAKES ................................................................................ 2 2.1 Data Sources ................................................................................................................. 2 2.2
    [Show full text]
  • Archaeology of the Wellington Conservancy: Wairarapa
    Archaeology of the Wellington Conservancy: Wairarapa A study in tectonic archaeology Archaeology of the Wellington Conservancy: Wairarapa A study in tectonic archaeology Bruce McFadgen Published by Department of Conservation P.O. Box 10-420 Wellington, New Zealand To the memory of Len Bruce, 1920–1999, A tireless fieldworker and a valued critic. Cover photograph shows a view looking north along the Wairarapa coastline at Te Awaiti. (Photograph by Lloyd Homer, © Insititute of Geological and Nuclear Sciences.) This report was prepared for publication by DOC Science Publishing, Science & Research Unit; editing by Helen O’Leary and layout by Ruth Munro. Publication was approved by the Manager, Science & Research Unit, Science Technology and Information Services, Department of Conservation, Wellington. All DOC Science publications are listed in the catalogue which can be found on the departmental website http://www.doc.govt.nz © May 2003, New Zealand Department of Conservation ISBN 0–478–22401–X National Library of New Zealand Cataloguing-in-Publication Data McFadgen, B. G. Archaeology of the Wellington Conservancy : Wairarapa : a study in tectonic archaeology / Bruce McFadgen. Includes bibliographical references. ISBN 0-478-22401-X 1. Archaeological surveying—New Zealand—Wairarapa. 2. Maori (New Zealand people)—New Zealand—Wairarapa— Antiquities. 3. Wairarapa (N.Z.)—Antiquities. I. New Zealand. Dept. of Conservation. II. Title. 993.6601—dc 21 ii Contents Abstract 1 1. Introduction 3 2. Geology and geomorphology 6 3. Sources of information 8 4. Correlation and dating 9 5. Off-site stratigraphy in the coastal environment 11 5.1 Sand dunes 12 5.2 Stream alluvium and colluvial fan deposits 13 5.3 Uplifted shorelines 14 5.4 Tsunami deposits 15 5.5 Coastal lagoon deposits 15 5.6 Correlation of off-site stratigraphy and adopted ages for events 16 6.
    [Show full text]
  • Fault Zone Parameter Descriptions, GNS Science Report 2012/19
    BIBLIOGRAPHIC REFERENCE Litchfield, N. J.1; Van Dissen, R.1; Sutherland, R.1; Barnes, P. M.2; Cox, S. C.1; Norris, R.3; Beavan, R.J.1; Langridge, R.1; Villamor, P.1; Berryman, K.1; Stirling, M.1; Nicol, A.1; Nodder, S.2; Lamarche, G.2; Barrell, D. J. A.1; 4 5 1 2 1 Pettinga, J. R. ; Little, T. ; Pondard, N. ; Mountjoy, J. ; Clark, K . 2013. A model of active faulting in New Zealand: fault zone parameter descriptions, GNS Science Report 2012/19. 120 p. 1 GNS Science, PO Box 30368, Lower Hutt 5040, New Zealand 2 NIWA, Private Bag 14901, Kilbirnie, Wellington 6241, New Zealand 3 University of Otago, PO Box 56, Dunedin 9054, New Zealand 4 University of Canterbury, Private Bag 4800, Christchurch 8140, New Zealand 5 Victoria University of Wellington, PO Box 600, Wellington 6140, New Zealand © Institute of Geological and Nuclear Sciences Limited, 2013 ISSN 1177-2425 ISBN 978-1-972192-01-6 CONTENTS ABSTRACT ......................................................................................................................... IX KEYWORDS ........................................................................................................................ IX 1.0 INTRODUCTION ........................................................................................................ 1 2.0 ACTIVE FAULT ZONE AND PARAMETER DEFINITIONS ...................................... 25 2.1 DEFINITION OF AN ACTIVE FAULT ZONE .............................................................25 2.1.1 Definition of active ..........................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • A Practical Field Trip Lesson Plan to Harcourt Park, Upper Hutt Introduction
    For Teachers: A practical field trip lesson plan to Harcourt Park, Upper Hutt This is a world class geological site showing the interaction between river erosion and an active fault. Getting there: The best place to start your visit is at California Park, which gives a good visual introduction to the landforms. Turn off the River Road (SH2) at Upper Hutt into Totara Park Road. Cross the first roundabout and continue over and right at the second into California Drive. After about 700 metres the California Park is visible on the left. You could also start your visit at Harcourt Park. From State Highway 2 at Brown Owl, Upper Hutt, turn into Akatarawa Rd - Harcourt Park will appear on the left after about 400m. Introduction What you can see there: As you drive towards California Park you will be driving down California Drive – you can see that houses on the left side of the road are higher than those on the right – you are driving along the fault scarp! California Drive shows how thoughtful urban planning can reduce earthquake risk. At California Park the topographic expression of the Wellington Fault is well defined. You can see an obvious straight scarp, this is called the fault scarp, and the ground surface has been uplifted on the northwest side. Between California Park and Harcourt Park, the Hutt River flows across the Wellington Fault at a right angle. Over many thousands of years the Hutt River has built up (aggraded) and cut down (eroded) sediment, these natural river cycles create step-like river terraces.
    [Show full text]
  • The Utility of Earth Science Information in Post-Earthquake Land- Use Decision-Making: the 2010-2011 Canterbury Earthquake Sequence in Aotearoa New Zealand
    https://doi.org/10.5194/nhess-2020-83 Preprint. Discussion started: 8 April 2020 c Author(s) 2020. CC BY 4.0 License. The utility of earth science information in post-earthquake land- use decision-making: the 2010-2011 Canterbury earthquake sequence in Aotearoa New Zealand 5 Mark C. Quigley1,2, Wendy Saunders3, Chris Massey3, Russ Van Dissen3, Pilar Villamor3, Helen Jack4, Nicola Litchfield3 1School of Earth Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, 3010, Australia 10 2School of Earth and Environment, Christchurch, 8140, New Zealand 3GNS Science, Lower Hutt, 5040 New Zealand 4Environment Canterbury, Christchurch, 8140, New Zealand Correspondence to: Mark C. Quigley ([email protected]) 15 Abstract. Earth science information (data, knowledge, advice) can enhance the evidence base for land-use decision- making. The utility of this information depends on factors such as the context and objectives of land-use decisions, the timeliness and efficiency with which earth science information is delivered, and the strength, relevance, uncertainties and risks assigned to earth science information relative to other inputs. We investigate land-use 20 decision-making practices in Christchurch, New Zealand and the surrounding region in response to mass movement (e.g., rockfall, cliff collapses) and ground surface fault rupture hazards incurred during the 2010-2011 Canterbury earthquake sequence (CES). Rockfall fatality risk models combining hazard, exposure and vulnerability data were co-produced by earth scientists and decision-makers and formed primary evidence for risk-based land-use decision- making with adaptive capacity. A public decision appeal process enabled consideration of additional earth science 25 information, primarily via stakeholder requests.
    [Show full text]
  • Tsunami Hazard Posed by Earthquakes on the Hikurangi
    CONFIDENTIAL This report has been prepared by the Institute of Geological and Nuclear Sciences Limited (GNS Science) exclusively for and under contract to EQC Research Foundation. Unless otherwise agreed in writing, all liability of GNS Science to any other party other than EQC Research Foundation in respect of the report is expressly excluded. The data presented in this Report are available to GNS Science for other use from May 2008 Project Number: EQC Project 06/521 Confidential 2008 CONTENTS TECHNICAL ABSTRACT.......................................................................................................III LAYMAN’S ABSTRACT.........................................................................................................IV KEYWORDS ............................................................................................................................V 1.0 INTRODUCTION ..........................................................................................................6 2.0 METHODOLOGY .........................................................................................................7 2.1 Deformation modelling .................................................................................................. 7 2.2 Tsunami modelling ........................................................................................................ 7 2.3 Limitations of modelling................................................................................................. 8 2.4 Run-up estimation ........................................................................................................
    [Show full text]