Landslide mapping and major earthquakes on the Kakapo Fault, South Island, New Zealand

Abstract

Landslide mapping from air photos is an effective method for studying historical earthquakes in mountainous regions where slope steepness and lithology are sufficiently uniform. The 1929 Arthur's Pass earthquake is attributed to movement on the Kakapo Fault. The landslide area confirms a Richter magnitude close to M7.0. Lake Minchin in the same area was formed by a large landslide dated at 1500 AD±100yr, and this is attributed to a larger movement on the Kakapo Fault, perhaps including the latest evident displacement of 4 m further to the east.