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    Paleoenvironmental analysis of quaternary strata in the Levin area : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Quaternary Science at Massey University
    (Massey University, 1991) Sewell, Alan Henry
    Marine transgression during the Last Interglacial resulted in widespread inundation of the southern Manawatu area. The Otaki Formation constitutes the relatively thick blanket of predominantly marine sand deposited at the height of the transgression and is now exposed in a partially dissected marine terrace abutting the Tararua Range. Sedimentation was controlled by basement block faulting related to a regional strike-slip tectonic regime on the south­ eastern margin of the South Wanganui Basin. Wave-induced longshore currents from the north-west supplied abundant sediment to the coast. North-east of Levin the Kairanga Trough, occupying a north-east-trending structural depression between uplifted basement blocks, formed the centre of an embayment during the transgression. Tide-dominated depositional processes predominated around the margins of the embayment. In the Forest Lakes area, the absence of seaward barriers resulted in an open wave-dominated coastline. Between Ohau and Shannon mixed wave/tide processes predominated. Stabilisation of sea level resulted in shoreline progradation which was especially marked south of Levin where a dune belt formed, mantling the coastal cliff and later migrating inland. Retreat of the sea was followed by differential uplift and dissection of the newly exposed marine terrace. Two later marine transgressions cut treads in the earlier marine terrace, their strandlines being controlled by the previously established drainage pattern.·Ameliorating climate associated with the major sea level regression of the Last Glacial was accompanied by several phases of loess and minor dune sand accumulation on the exposed marine terraces. At the same time large areas of the terrace coverbeds were removed due to river aggradation. Final truncation of the Last Interglacial marine terraces occurred during the Holocene transgression. Tectonic warping of the marine terraces is continuing along pre-existing basement faults.
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    Late quaternary deposits of the eastern shore of Lake Wairarapa, North Island, New Zealand : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Soil Science at Massey University
    (Massey University, 1990) Mitchell, Alison Gislaine
    The lower Wairarapa Valley was an estuary as late as 6 500 years ago. Since then sediments from the Ruamahanga and Tauherenikau Rivers have deposited large loads of sediment into the area, prograding the eastern shore and changing the system from an estuary into lakes and rivers. The aims of this study were to investigate the late Quaternary deposits and soils of the eastern shore of Lake Wairarapa, using the information gained to look at the way in which infilling has taken place. The surface geology and soils of the study area were mapped. The mapping units were described and defined. Some chemical tests were carried out on selected soil samples. The order and method of infilling of the deposits are discussed.
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    Late quaternary pollen stratigraphy, geology and soils of an area near Greytown : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Soil Science at Massey University
    (Massey University, 1987) Tompkins, Joanna Olive
    In the southern Wairarapa Valley there are extensive gravel fans, built by the Tauherenikau, Waiohine, and Waingawa Rivers. The fans form the Waiohine Surface which is lapped by a complex of Holocene fluvial, lacustrine and estuarine deposits. At the toe of the fans, peat deposits have accumulated over early Holocene sediments. This study involved; a) detailed mapping of the Quaternary deposits and soils and, b) analysis of pollen stratigraphy from continuous peat deposits in an area south of Greytown, in order to establish the Late Quaternary vegetative and environmental changes in the area. Detailed mapping showed that the c. 6,000 years B.P. Holocene high sea level did not encroach the area as was previously believed. After the formation of the Waiohine Surface c.10,000 years B.P., the Waiohine and possibly Tauherenikau Rivers infilled the area with aggradational gravels and sands. At c.8,500 years B.P. these river systems left the area and, peat deposits began accumulating soon after. The pollen spectrum, dated from c.8,500 years B.P. at the base, to c.5,500 years B.P. at the surface showed that the vegetation in the area suffered little change during the period of peat accumulation. Substantial areas of shrub, herbaceous and swamp communities existed in the valley, in addition to a Dacrydium cupressinum dominated podocarp-hardwood forest. Stands of Dacrycarpus dacrydioides were prominent on many wetter sites. A podocarp-hardwood complex, with areas of Nothofagus existed in the adjacent ranges. Climatic deterioration may have caused the rise in Nothofagus at the expense of the podocarps after 6,000 years B.P. The steady decline of D. dacrydioides with respect to D. cupressinum between 6,000 years B.P. and 5,000 years B.P. however, is a result of local drying around the bog. Fluctuations in vegetation are not of sufficient magnitude to justify the use of pollen zones.
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    Late Holocene environmental record and geological history of the Lake Colenso area, north-western Ruahine Range, New Zealand : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Quaternary Science, Soil and Earth Sciences, Institute of Natural Resources, Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand
    (Massey University, 2011) MacDonald-Creevey, Amanda Mallory; MacDonald-Creevey, Amanda Mallory
    Sediment cores from a landslide-dammed lake, Lake Colenso (North Island, New Zealand), contain a decadal- to centennial-scale record of changing climate spanning the past 1800 years. A multi-proxy approach has been used to obtain a high-resolution record of variability from the Lake Colenso catchment, and tephra horizons combined with radiocarbon ages provide chronological constraints. Since the lake is located within a mountainous forested catchment of the northern Ruahine Range, it has remained pristine and isolated from human disturbance. Additionally, pollen analysis indicates minimal human influence in the lake catchment; hence the site offers a rare opportunity to investigate natural environmental change during a period in which anthropogenic impact has tended to obscure natural variability in many records from elsewhere in New Zealand (Wilmshurst et al., 1997). Sedimentology and elemental geochemistry reflect periods of rapid sediment influx into the lake, here interpreted as storm events which are preserved at an average of 1 every 150 years. This record, supported by stable isotope records from ostracods, shows distinct periods of increased storminess, and is related to the interaction between regional atmospheric circulation systems, El Niño-Southern Oscillation, Southern Annular Mode and the Pacific Decadal Oscillation. Furthermore, the association with other regional records of climate over the late Holocene highlights the effect of regional climatic forcing. A combination of findings is characterised by broad changes that correlate to the regionally distinctive Medieval Warm Period and Little Ice Age periods, providing further evidence for a climatically variable Holocene (Mayewski et al., 2004). The multi-proxy record presented here is a valuable contribution to existing paleoenvironmental knowledge of the late Holocene in New Zealand. The geology of the study area is characterised by alternating periods of subsidence and uplift throughout the Plio-Pleistocene which resulted in the deposition of Wanganui Basin sediments in the region. Historic earthquake records from nearby major faults are commensurate with ages obtained for landslides at Lake Colenso, which allow a further understanding into landscape evolution and the development of present-day Lake Colenso.
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    Late quaternary landscape evolution of western Hawke's Bay, North Island, New Zealand : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Earth Science at Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand
    (Massey University, 1997) Hammond, Andrew Peter
    Western Hawke's Bay, North Island, New Zealand, lies landward of an obliquely convergent offshore plate boundary, the Hikurangi Trough. Landscape elements exhibit classical island arc terrains. From east to west these are: an accretionary wedge, forearc basin, frontal-ridge, and a volcanic backarc basin. The forearc was subdivided into four land systems: ranges, inland basins, hill-country, and plains. Soil patterns and geomorphological processes within each land system are detailed. The architecture and subsequent sculpturing of land systems have been subject to a complex interplay between: tectonic, climatic, fluvial, aeolian and volcanic regimes. These regimes have had a marked bearing upon the stability/instability of the landscape and its evolution. The timing of stability/instability cycles within the district's coverbeds and aggradational/degradational terraces is facilitated by interbedded rhyolitic and andesitic tephra chronohorizons and ignimbrites (Taupo, Oruanui, Rabbit Gully and Potaka) derived from the Taupo Volcanic Zone. The glass chemistries of unknown rhyolitic tephras and ignimbrites were matched with those from the well-dated master sections around the volcanic centres. During this study the geographic distribution of many andesitic and rhyolitic tephra layers have been significantly expanded into a district not previously studied in detail. Andesitic tephras identified include members of the Tufa Trig, Ngauruhoe, Papakai, Mangamate and Bullott Formations. Rhyolitic tephras found, but not previously recorded in Hawke's Bay sequences, include Rerewhakaaitu and Rangitawa Tephras and four previously unidentified rhyolitic tephras termed A, B, C and D within Loess 4 and Loess 5. Major cycles of landscape stability/instability are associated with Quaternary climate changes. During glacial and stadial times intense physical weathering prevailed within the ranges resulting in the transfer of material (aggradation products) through the fluvial and aeolian systems to the downlands and coastal plains. Interglacial and interstadial times were marked by a predominance of chemical weathering (paleosols) and river degradation. The net result was landsurface stabilisation before the next episode of instability. Loess-paleosol layers recognised in Hawke's Bay are correlated to the Rangitikei River Valley sequences. Unlike the Rangitikei sequences, where the best loess-paleosol record overlies terraces, those in Hawke's Bay are found on footslopes. Pre- and early-Ohakean loessial sequences overlying aggradational terraces are absent. Consequently, studies were focussed on colluvial foot- and toe-slopes (depositional sites) within the inland basins and hill-country land systems. Coverbeds from these slope positions have a fuller record and are more useful for stratigraphic studies. Earthquakes, fires (both natural and man-induced), periodic cyclonic storms and ignimbrite sheets punctuate and complicate the climatically induced Quaternary cycles. The record for these non-climatic variables is often local and may mask or even destroy the imprint of older, more poorly preserved climatically-induced Pleistocene stability and instability episodes. Field, morphological, mineralogical and chemical properties of loess and tephra layers were undertaken at four reference sections. These sections are arranged in a west (foothills of the ranges) to east (coast) transect reflecting differences in climate (1800-900mm rainfall/annum, lower rainfalls in the east), soil types (Pumice, Allophanic, Brown and Pallic Soils) and distance from volcanic source areas. The most distant site lies over 100km east of Lake Taupo. Three aggradational terraces associated with the last stadial (Ohakean) are commonly found along Hawke's Bay rivers. Ohakean terraces along the Mohaka River have tread ages of c. 16-14 ka, 14-11 ka and 11-10 ka, respectively. Field and laboratory characterisation of duripan horizons within Pallic Soils were undertaken to elucidate the nature and origin of the cementing medium. Soil chemistry and mineralogy show the cement to be highly siliceous and most likely derived from the weathering products of volcanic ash.
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    The quaternary history of Chatham Island, New Zealand : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Earth Science at Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand
    (Massey University, 2008) Holt, Katherine Angharad
    The Quaternary geology of Chatham Island has been investigated using several different techniques, including: tephrochronology, mineralogy, palynology and stratigraphy; in an attempt to draw together a Quaternary history for the Island. The Quaternary record of Chatham Island comprises mainly deposits from terrestrial environments, predominantly thick blanket peats and aeolian sand, all of which range from latest Castlecliffian to Haweran/Recent in age. Quaternary deposits that demonstratably predate this age range (i.e. > Oxygen Isotope Stage 12) have not been recognised anywhere on the Island. Their absence is, at this stage, attributed to a major marine transgression across much of the northern and central portions of the Island during Oxygen Isotope Stage 11. Two rhyolitic tephra produced during two of the largest eruptions from the Taupo Volcanic Zone are present on Chatham Island. The 27.1 ka Kawakawa Tephra is well preserved across most of the Island, occurring within most pre-Holocene sequences. The 345 ka Rangitawa Tephra, not previously recognised on Chatham Island, is found in a few scattered coastal locations where older, late Castlecliffian sediments are preserved. In the absence of any other forms of radiometric age control these two tephras have provided the principal means for time control within and between stratigraphic sequences on the Island. Palynology has been used predominantly to determine climatic conditions at the time of sediment accumulation. Palynological investigations of seven sections of peat deposits have also demonstrated that cyclic changes in vegetation patterns have occurred throughout the Quaternary on Chatham Island. However these changes have not been as significant as those that occurred on mainland New Zealand over the Quaternary. It is concluded that this indicates climatic deterioration during glacials may not have been as pronounced on Chatham Island as on the mainland. Marine terraces created during former high sea level stands are preserved in several areas on Chatham Island. Quaternary terrace surfaces ranging in age from Last Interglacial (OIS 5e) to OIS 11 occur at heights of 3-5 m, 9 – 10 m, 16 m, 20 m and 30 - 40 m above sea level. An exhumed surface of Late Pliocene age occurs at 7 – 14 m a.s.l.. Terrace ages have been determined using cover-bed stratigraphy, and in particular the presence or absence of tephra marker beds. Height-age relationships of marine terraces have been used to develop preliminary rates of tectonic uplift on Chatham Island. The resulting values range between 0.01 – 0.13 mm/yr and are very low compared with more tectonically active areas of mainland New Zealand. However, there is considerable variation in these rates across Chatham Island, indicating that the tectonic history of the Island over the Quaternary may be complex. This thesis has also demonstrated that considerably more work is required to fully understand the Quaternary history of Chatham Island. In particular, better numerical age control on key deposits; more detailed, high-resolution pollen records from key locations; and obtaining stratigraphic records from a greater range of locations. This is particularly so for the southern uplands where older records are virtually inaccessible due to a thick blanketing of post-glacial peat deposits.