It forms a transform boundary between the Pacific Plate and the Indo-Australian Plate. Scientists have revealed new insights into what's piling pressure on New Zealand's big-risk Alpine Fault – and whether the past decade's quakes have added to its squeeze. New research from Victoria University of Wellington could prompt a shift in thinking about the South Island’s Alpine Fault.. These faults take up some of the total displacement caused by plate collision, so the continuation of the … A reverse fault (if steeply dipping) or thrust fault (if shallowly dipping) is a fault where the fault plane dips toward the upthrown block. The Alpine Fault is one of the world’s major geological features. The Alpine Fault is a geological fault, specifically a right-lateral strike-slip fault, that runs almost the entire length of New Zealand’s South Island. South Island Faults. The Alpine Fault at Inchbonnie – Hohonus and Taramakau River looking east [L.Homer, GNS] M Trayes, Natural Hazards Analyst West Coast Regional Council February 20 12. The Alpine Fault is the dominant structure defining the Australian-Pacific plate boundary in the South Island of New Zealand. The northern section of the Alpine Fault runs through this area. Motion on the fault within its central portion is … Ground shaking will occur from ruptures on these fault lines. … Pākihi Supergoup: 5 million years ago – present, There is more information about this locality and some of the science research at, http://juliansrockandiceblog.blogspot.co.nz/2016/02/digging-into-alpine-fault.html. Whilst it ruptures mainly in a sideways direction, some uplift on its eastern side has given rise to the Southern Alps. 0/5. Through the South … Map of the New Zealand region, showing the land area and bathymetry of the surrounding continental shelf. allow individual streets to be identified in the map. Helpful. It forms the sharp line separating the snow-covered Southern Alps in the east from the low coastal plain bordering the … Latitude and Longitude of Alpine. It is the line along which the Australian and Pacific tectonic plates are being pushed together. Map of the northern end of the Alpine Fault and Marlborough Fault System. Contour line interval is 0.5 m. Outstanding couple of hours discovering the Earthquake zone that is ripping New Zealand apart. Alpine Fault identifies earthquakes in the years 1717, 1620, and 1430, with estimated moment magnitudes of 7.9±0.3, 7.6±0.3, and 7.9±0.4, respectively (Sutherland et al., 2007). The synthetic records show that ground motion accelerations in Greymouth and Hokitika are expected to exceed 20%g and 50%g respectively during … Figure 4 Map of the Alpine Fault in West Coast region and the data sources used in this mapping study (shown by colour). The faults within this system head southwards and converge to form the Alpine Fault, which carries most of the plate boundary strain in the region. See below for contact information to organise a visit. Athy 19 contributions 4 helpful votes. The Wairau, Awatere and Clarence faults are an extension of the Alpine Fault, as are a number of other active faults of limited extent. This is a classic exposure of the Alpine Fault. The Alpine Fault is clearly visible from space, running along the western edge of the Southern Alps from the southwestern coast towards the northeastern corner of the South Island. The fault scarp runs very close to the parking area, © GNS Science 2017, version 3.2.4.197 created 20190802-1555, Wall across the Alpine Fault at Calf Paddock, R.Langridge / GNS.Science, The Alpine Fault Trace runs from lower left towards the hill , J.Thomson / GNS.Science, The Alpine Fault trace is a low scarp cutting across calf paddock , J.Thomson / GNS.Science, Alpine Fault runs across the image, and through centre of wall, J.Thomson / GNS.Science, Sign at Calf Paddock, Maruia - spot the typo! Map of South Island showing Alpine Fault, distribution of major Late Quaternary faults (somewhat generalised) and current plate vector (after DeMets et al., 1994). Most of the movement along the fault is horizontal (sideways), but there is also a vertical component. It has been crushed and altered (metamorphosed) at depth, and gradually dragged to the surface by uplift of the Pacific Plate. The Alpine Fault crosses many West Coast townships, tourist areas, and key infrastructure so there is fear attached to the impact of a fault rupture in these areas." Here you can get right up close to the plate boundary fault that runs the length of the South Island. It is worth looking at the wall to see how it has stood the test of time. Several major faults run alongside and within this system, including the Wellington Fault. © GNS Science 2017, version 3.2.4.197 created 20190802-1555, Alpine Fault at Gaunt Creek, J.Thomson / GNS Science, Deep Fault Drilling Project Observatory container, J.Thomson / GNS Science, Information panel at Gaunt Creek, J.Thomson / GNS Science, The top of the Australian Plate seen from above Gaunt Creek, J.Thomson / GNS Science, Pointing out the Alpine Fault at Gaunt Creek, J.Thomson / GNS Science, Alpine Fault cataclasite at Gaunt Creek, J.Thomson / GNS Science, Pointing at the fault. There are also several important faults offshore to the east of Marlborough. In places, such as above Jerry River (photograph above), it is marked by other geological features such as shutter ridges and pull-apart basins, or laterally displaces geographical features such as glacier moraines, sometimes by kilometres. QMAP mapping data is predominant at the northeast and southwest ends of the fault, while Otago University mapping is the predominant source from Hokitika to Haast. Convergence on the plate boundary along the Alpine Fault ranges from a vector trending 084° at a rate of 45 mm yr-1 (Norris et. Elizabeth, our tour guide, was very knowledgeable and enthusiastic showing off this area of NZ and explaining how the tectonic plates work. Most of New Zealand's major faults are similar in this respect. It is shown on the geologic map with triangular teeth pointing toward the upthrown side of the fault. If you want to do something different and have a passing interest in geology, then this is a ‘must do’ tour. 1990) to 071 o at a rate of 39 mm yr-1 (De Mets et. This is a classic exposure of the Alpine Fault. The uplift to the southeast of the fault is due to an element of convergence between … The Alpine Fault. Beban GNS Science Consultancy Report 2011/217 September 2011 . ), showing that the fault is stuck. J.Thomson / GNS.Science, The surface trace of the Alpine Fault and an experimental concrete wall. Read more. The Alpine Fault is a geological fault, specifically a right-lateral strike-slip fault, that runs almost the entire length of New Zealand's South Island.It forms a transform boundary between the Pacific Plate and the Indo-Australian Plate. While the Alpine fault does not impact large populated areas, the other major strike-slip faults do, including the San Andreas in California, the Anatolian in Turkey and faults in China and Central Asia. 6. slip vector is oriented approximately 20 to the trace of the fault, resulting in components of 35.5 mm/yr parallel and 10 mm/yr perpendicular to the Alpine Fault. There were 4 of us on this tour and all enjoyed learning more about the geology of such an impressive landscape. Alpine Fault which give us some measure of what we might be in for when the predicted large event occurs. The Southern Alps have been uplifted on the fault over the last 12 million years in a series of earthquakes. The Alpine Fault is overdue for an earthquake that could reshape the South Island, scientists say. Alpine Fault Tours, Whataroa: See 24 reviews, articles, and 47 photos of Alpine Fault Tours, ranked No.3 on Tripadvisor among 4 attractions in Whataroa. It is also a very active fault, … Unless otherwise agreed in writing by GNS Science, GNS Science accepts no … The Alpine Fault runs for about 600km up the spine of the South Island, and is one of the world’s major geological features. Scientists have revealed new insights into what's piling pressure on New Zealand's big-risk Alpine Fault – and whether the past decade's quakes have added to its squeeze. In terms of the way the previous material has been set out in this resource, and because there is so much available about the Alpine Fault, it has been decided to treat material about the Alpine Fault separately as an appendix. Earthquakes along the fault, and the associated earth movements, have formed the Southern Alps. QMAP mapping data is predominant at the northeast and southwest ends of the fault, while Otago University mapping is the predominant source from Hokitika to Haast. Rectangle indicates area shown in Fig. The Alpine Fault Trace runs from lower left towards the hill, J.Thomson / GNS.Science The northern section of the Alpine Fault runs through this area. It is shown on geologic maps as a black line with either a block pattern on the downthrown side, or the letters U/D showing the upthrown and downthrown sides. The faults within this system head southwards and converge to form the Alpine Fault, which carries most of the plate boundary strain in the region. They have been pushed up by many and continued earthquakes occurring on the fault. The Hope Fault is an active dextral (right lateral) strike-slip fault in the northeastern part of South Island, New Zealand.It forms part of the Marlborough Fault System, which accommodates the transfer of displacement along the oblique convergent boundary between the Indo-Australian Plate and Pacific Plate, from the transform Alpine Fault to the Hikurangi Trench subduction zone. The Alpine Fault cuts a fine line hundreds of kilometres through the western flank of the South Island. This demonstration allows you to go on a virtual field trip along the Alpine Fault and see some of the key outcrops. The 2012 paper suggests simply that … Alpine Fault virtual field trip. Reverse and … Skip to Main Content. Because the Alpine fault begins so cleanly, Furlong believes it can tell us something about strike-slip faults in general. The Alpine Fault marks the boundary of the Pacific and Australian Plates. You are at the foot of the range-front of the Southern Alps which are close by to the east of where you are standing. The area of volcanic activity is referred to as the Taupo Volcanic Zone (see map above). The length of the rupture will be … Turning inland, the Alpine Fault runs to a point near the Lewis Pass, travels northwards then frays into four main faults that extend to the east coast. Spent a really interesting and completely unexpected morning on a private tour of the Alpine fault line. Movement along this fault has uplifted the Southern Alps and helped shape the South Island landscape we know today. The Alpine Fault last got seriously testy in 1717 or thereabouts and before that, in descending order, 1620, 1430 and 1100. The Alpine Fault is a geological fault, known as a right-lateral strike-slip fault, that runs almost the entire length of New Zealand's South Island. The Pacific Plate and Indo-Australian Plate boundary forms the Macquarie Fault Zone in the Puysegur Trench off the southwestern corner of the South Island and comes onshore as the Alpine Fault just north of Milford Sound. It runs as a single structure for over 500 km. Most of the movement along the fault is horizontal (sideways), but there is also a vertical component. 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