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
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Date
2008
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Massey University
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Abstract
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.
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Quaternary, Chatham Islands