Geology and Geomorphology of Chatham Islands

Details

Date: 8 February – 13 February
Departs from: Auckland
Ends: Auckland
Leaders: Hamish Campbell & Kat Holt (geologists)
Cost ($NZD inc 15% GST): Approx $6500 per person


Geological and Hence Geomorphological Highlights

In a New Zealand context, the Chatham Islands are unusual because they are so remote from the active plate boundary. Accordingly, the geology relates to a ‘passive margin’ and Cretaceous-Cenozoic cover rocks (sedimentary and volcanic) are remarkably undeformed.

It is clear that the Chatham Islands have behaved as a single tectonic entity with significant vertical uplift during Pliocene time.

The landscape is therefore ‘youthful’ and the geomorphology is clearly the product of differential erosion, primarily driven by prevailing SW wind and sea conditions. The landscape is dramatic in places, punctuated by small intra-plate submarine volcanos (basaltic). This excursion is a rare opportunity to see some remarkable geomorphology in a remote part of eastern Zealandia, some 800-850 kilometres east of mainland New Zealand, in the SW Pacific Ocean.


Other Field Trips

From Rivers of Sand to the Great Barrier Reef: The coastal geomorphology of beaches, sand islands, and coral reefs of south east Queensland

Date: 7 February – 12 February
Departs from: Brisbane, Australia
Ends: Gladstone, Australia
Cost ($NZD inc 15% GST):
Option 1, 5 days approx $1200 per person
Option 2, 8 days approx $2200 per person

Geomorphology of the New Zealand Southern Alps

Date: 7 February – 12 February (with option to end in Queenstown on 9 February)
Departs from: Christchurch
Ends: Queenstown on 9 February or Christchurch on 12 February
Cost ($NZD inc 15% GST):
Option 1, 3 days approx $1700 per person
Option 2, 6 days approx $2400 per person

Walking Tour of Kaikōura Peninsula Tectonics and Rock Coasts

Date: Wednesday 4 February
Departs from: Christchurch
Ends: Christchurch
Cost ($NZD inc 15% GST): Approx $80 per person

Seismically-Induced Landscape Evolution and Environmental Impacts in Ōtautahi Christchurch

Date: Wednesday 4 February
Departs from: Christchurch
Ends: Christchurch
Cost ($NZD inc 15% GST): Approx $50 per person

River geomorphology and management in a Canterbury braided river: A tour of the Waimakariri catchment

Date: Wednesday 4 February
Departs from: Christchurch
Ends: Christchurch
Cost ($NZD inc 15% GST): Approx $70 per person

Landscape Layers of Te Pātaka-o-Rākaihautū Banks Peninsula: Volcanic and soil geomorphology and their connections to place

Date: Wednesday 4 February
Departs from: Christchurch
Ends: Christchurch
Cost ($NZD inc 15% GST): Approx $110 per person

Glacial Geomorphology of the Waimakariri Valley in Canterbury

Date: Wednesday 4 February
Departs from: Christchurch
Ends: Christchurch
Cost ($NZD inc 15% GST): Approx $65 per person

Engineering Geomorphology and Alpine Hazards Around Arthur’s Pass, Southern Alps

Date: Wednesday 4 February
Departs from: Christchurch
Ends: Christchurch
Cost ($NZD inc 15% GST): Approx $95 per person

Earthquake Faulting and the Leader River Landslide Dam 

Date: Wednesday 4 February
Departs from: Christchurch
Ends: Christchurch
Cost ($NZD inc 15% GST): Approx $60 per person

Coastal Geomorphology of the Northern Canterbury Coastline

Date: Wednesday 4 February
Departs from: Christchurch
Ends: Christchurch
Cost ($NZD inc 15% GST): Approx $70 per person