• Login
    View Item 
    •   Home
    • Massey Documents by Type
    • Theses and Dissertations
    • View Item
    •   Home
    • Massey Documents by Type
    • Theses and Dissertations
    • View Item
    JavaScript is disabled for your browser. Some features of this site may not work without it.

    New Zealand Oligocene land crisis : integrated micropaleontology of Waikato coal measures and associated sediments in central North Island, New Zealand : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Earth Science at Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand

    Icon
    View/Open Full Text
    02_whole.pdf (14.02Mb)
    01_front.pdf (211.4Kb)
    Export to EndNote
    Abstract
    The topic of complete inundation of the New Zealand landmass during the Oligocene is a contentious one, with some proponents arguing the possibility that Zealandia became completely submerged during this time, and others contesting the persistence of small islands. The outcome of this debate has significant implications for the way in which modern New Zealand flora and fauna have evolved. This research project addresses the topic from a geological point of view by analysing late Oligocene–early Miocene sediments in the Benneydale region, in order to establish the timing of marine transgression in this area. Samples from two cores drilled in the Mangapehi Coalfield were analysed for palynological and calcareous nannofossil content, and these data were used to determine the age and paleoenvironment of Waikato Coal Measures, Aotea Formation and Mahoenui Group. Additionally, data from 28 boreholes in the coalfield were utilized to construct a series of isopach maps to elucidate changes in the paleostructure through time. All data were combined to develop a series of paleogeographic maps illustrating the development of coal measures and associated sediments across the Benneydale region. The results of this study indicate a Waitakian (late Oligocene-early Miocene) age for Waikato Coal Measures in the Benneydale region. Although this finding is consistent with the idea that Waikato Coal Measures young to the south, it appears that deposition occurred later than previously thought. Additionally, palynological data signify the persistence of a well vegetated pollen source throughout the late Oligocene–early Miocene sequence. Isopach analysis reveals the presence of paleohighs in the eastern and southern regions of the coalfield. While there is no direct evidence of land persisting in the Benneydale region, the pollen and isopach results support the hypothesis that some land remained above sea level during the Oligocene.
    Date
    2012
    Author
    Shepherd, Claire Louise
    Rights
    The Author
    Publisher
    Massey University
    URI
    http://hdl.handle.net/10179/4244
    Collections
    • Theses and Dissertations
    Metadata
    Show full item record

    Related items

    Showing items related by title, author, creator and subject.

    • Icon
      Title:
      Sport development - plan, programme and practice : a case study of the planned intervention by New Zealand cricket into cricket in New Zealand : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy, School of Management, College of Business, Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand 
      Author:
      Astle, Alec Morrison
      Date:
      2014
    • Icon
      Title:
      New Zealand's preferential trading arrangements : implications for the New Zealand dairy industry : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Applied Economics at the School of Economics and Finance, Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand 
      Author:
      Howard, Samuel David
      Date:
      2011
    • Icon
      Title:
      "Kia ora and welcome to Immigration New Zealand" : the experience of calling and working for the Immigration New Zealand's contact centre : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts in Psychology at Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand 
      Author:
      Scott, Alyson Margaret
      Date:
      2015

    Copyright © Massey University
    Contact Us | Send Feedback | Copyright Take Down Request | Massey University Privacy Statement
    DSpace software copyright © Duraspace
    v5.7-2020.1
     

     

    Tweets by @Massey_Research
    Information PagesContent PolicyDepositing content to MROCopyright and Access InformationDeposit LicenseDeposit License SummaryTheses FAQFile FormatsDoctoral Thesis Deposit

    Browse

    All of MROCommunities & CollectionsBy Issue DateAuthorsTitlesSubjectsThis CollectionBy Issue DateAuthorsTitlesSubjects

    My Account

    LoginRegister

    Statistics

    View Usage Statistics

    Copyright © Massey University
    Contact Us | Send Feedback | Copyright Take Down Request | Massey University Privacy Statement
    DSpace software copyright © Duraspace
    v5.7-2020.1