New Zealand Journal of Geology and Geophysics abstracts

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Origin of the Northland Ophiolite, northern New Zealand: discussion of new data and reassessment of the model

Scott A. Whattam
John G. Malpas
Jason R. Ali

Department of Earth Sciences
University of Hong Kong
Pokfulam Road
Hong Kong, China

Ian E. M. Smith

Department of Geology
University of Auckland
Private Bag 92 019
Auckland, New Zealand
email: ie.smith@auckland.ac.nz

Ching-Hua Lo

Department of Geosciences
National Taiwan University
245 Chousan Road
Taipei 106, Taiwan

Abstract  This paper discusses new results from the Northland Ophiolite in northern New Zealand that indicate that it formed in a supra-subduction zone setting, c. 26-29 m.y. ago, and very near to its late Oligocene obduction site. This is in contrast to previous studies which have suggested that the ophiolite is a far-travelled igneous Cretaceous-Paleocene terrane. Cretaceous rocks formerly mapped as part of the ophiolite are minor and represent an autochthonous Late Cretaceous-Paleocene volcanic arc. The tectonic setting, age, and location of formation suggest that the ophiolite formed as part of the southernmost South Fiji Basin crust. Obduction of the Northland Ophiolite initiated subduction and volcanism resulting in the development of the Northland volcanic arc during the early Miocene.

Keywords  Northland Ophiolite; Southwest Pacific; Oligocene; tectonics

G04022; Received 24 March 2004; accepted 13 May 2004; Online publication date 7 September 2004
New Zealand Journal of Geology & Geophysics, 2004, Vol. 47: 383-389
0028-8306/04/4703-0383 © The Royal Society of New Zealand 2004

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