Walking Tour of Kaikōura Peninsula Tectonics and Rock Coasts

Details

Date: Wednesday 4 February
Departs from: Christchurch
Ends: Christchurch
Leaders: Wayne Stephenson, Sophie Horton and Runjie Yuan, as part of the “Lessons and future prospects for rock coast geomorphology” session and IAG Rock Coast Working Group.
Cost ($NZD inc 15% GST): Approx $80 per person

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Description

The fieldtrip will travel by bus to Kaikōura and view the township and beaches before walking the Kaikōura Peninsula coastal track. The Peninsula is fringed by a network of intertidal shore platforms and backed by uplifted marine terraces, the most recent of which was created in the 2016 earthquake. Older evidence of previous tectonic impacts on the coast are also evident (inactive sea cliffs, and uplifted sea stacks). Flights of Quaternary marine terraces are also visible during the walk, and the walking track traverses one of these. Many lookout stops will offer spectacular views of the grand sweep of tectonic impacts of rock coast evolution. We will stop at several sites to see micro-erosion meter sites used since 1973 to measure erosion rates on the shore platforms, and sites used over that period to investigate processes driving shore platform development.

Start and finish locations: The trip begins and ends at Te Pae.

Start and finish times: Participants need to arrive to Te Pae at 7.20 am for an 7.30 am departure. The trip will return to Te Pae at ~7.00 pm.

What to bring:

• Water
• Sun protection (sunhat, sunscreen)
• Warm clothing
• Water/windproof jacket
• Hiking shoes
• Personal medication

What to expect: Walk around Kaikōura Peninsula on footpaths, dirt and gravel tracks. Some walking on platforms means rocky surfaces with care needed if wet to avoid slipping. Maximum distance walked will be about 6-7 km with two up and down hill sections (each about 50 m of vertical ascent) using tracks and stairs (the walk will look good in Strava).  A moderate level of fitness needed. The walking track is open to the public and moderately well maintained with only a few spots where uneven ground is located. Walking out onto the shore platforms is common but care should always be taken to avoid slipping (avoid green/brown algae at all costs) and seals.