Prehistoric dates of the most recent Alpine fault earthquakes, New Zealand

Abstract

Research Article| November 01, 1999 Prehistoric dates of the most recent Alpine fault earthquakes, New Zealand Andrew Wells; Andrew Wells 1Ecology and Entomology Group, Soil, Plant and Ecological Sciences Division, Lincoln University, P.O. Box 84, Canterbury, New Zealand Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Mark D. Yetton; Mark D. Yetton 2Geotech Consulting Ltd., RD1 Charteris Bay, Lyttelton R.D., New Zealand Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Richard P. Duncan; Richard P. Duncan 1Ecology and Entomology Group, Soil, Plant and Ecological Sciences Division, Lincoln University, P.O. Box 84, Canterbury, New Zealand Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Glenn H. Stewart Glenn H. Stewart 1Ecology and Entomology Group, Soil, Plant and Ecological Sciences Division, Lincoln University, P.O. Box 84, Canterbury, New Zealand Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Geology (1999) 27 (11): 995–998. https://doi.org/10.1130/0091-7613(1999)027<0995:PDOTMR>2.3.CO;2 Article history first online: 02 Jun 2017 Cite View This Citation Add to Citation Manager Share Icon Share MailTo Twitter LinkedIn Tools Icon Tools Get Permissions Search Site Citation Andrew Wells, Mark D. Yetton, Richard P. Duncan, Glenn H. Stewart; Prehistoric dates of the most recent Alpine fault earthquakes, New Zealand. Geology 1999;; 27 (11): 995–998. doi: https://doi.org/10.1130/0091-7613(1999)027<0995:PDOTMR>2.3.CO;2 Download citation file: Ris (Zotero) Refmanager EasyBib Bookends Mendeley Papers EndNote RefWorks BibTex toolbar search Search Dropdown Menu toolbar search search input Search input auto suggest filter your search All ContentBy SocietyGeology Search Advanced Search Abstract We use four methods to investigate the earthquake history over the past 600 yr of the central Alpine fault, New Zealand. Trenches across the active fault trace at five locations identify two ruptures on the fault in the past 450 yr. Three other indirect indicators (episodes of landsliding and aggradation, dated either via 14C or from forest establishment on the resulting surfaces, and tree-ring growth anomalies) provide further evidence for these two earthquakes and a greater resolution in estimates of their timing and extent. The most recent earthquake occurred in A.D. 1717 and the rupture extended over a section of fault between Milford and the Haupiri River, a distance of 375 km. About 1630, another earthquake occurred on the fault and this extended between at least the Paringa and Ahaura Rivers (250 km). Regional episodes of landsliding and forest establishment provide evidence for a third earthquake at about 1460 over the same section of fault. The pattern of earthquake recurrence is not regular, but averages ∼200 yr and varies from ∼100 yr to at least 280 yr, which is the lapsed time since the most recent rupture. This content is PDF only. Please click on the PDF icon to access. First Page Preview Close Modal You do not have access to this content, please speak to your institutional administrator if you feel you should have access.