New Zealand Journal of Geology and Geophysics abstracts
Late Quaternary evolution of the Rotoaira Basin, northern Tongariro ring
plain, New Zealand
Jérôme A. Lecointre*
Vincent E. Neall
R. Cleland Wallace
Soil and Earth Sciences - Institute of Natural Resources
Massey University - Turitea Campus PN 432
Private Bag 11 222
Palmerston North, New Zealand
*email: J.A.Lecointre@massey.ac.nz
Mike B. Elliot
Whangarei Boys’ High School
P.O. 5034 - Regent
Whangarei, New Zealand
Rodger Sparks
Rafter Radiocarbon Laboratory
Institute of Geological & Nuclear Sciences
P.O. Box 31 312
Lower Hutt, New Zealand
Abstract The last 100 000 yr record of volcaniclastic
sedimentation in the Rotoaira Basin reflects the critical role played by
tectonic and eruptive activity that led to: (1) the catastrophic emplacement
of Te Whaiau Formation (60-55 ka); (2) major episodes of effusive activity
(c. 30 ka and c. 15 ka); and (3) syn- and post-eruptive lahar aggradation
on the shores of Lake Rotoaira. Stratigraphic unconformities, fluvial and
aeolian reworking, and subsequent volcanogenic sedimentation indicate that
climate change driven periods of erosion contributed significantly to the
evolution of the landscape during the late Quaternary.
Waters that accumulated
in a newly expanded graben formed Lake Rotoaira. An attempt to core through
the sediments on the lake’s floor revealed a >6.5 m thick mantling of
Taupo ignimbrite, restricting chronostratigraphic sampling to the last 1.85
ka. Lake Rotoaira pollen profiles record: (1) the destruction of the indigenous
forest by the Taupo ignimbrite eruption; (2) the following period of vegetation
recovery (c. 300 yr); and (3) periods of human occupation of the lakeshores
(bracken spores and Pinus pollen) in the younger sediments. Coarse
sand generated by the 1995-96 tephra-producing Ruapehu eruptions also contributed
to the recent lake sedimentation.
Keywords Rotoaira; Tongariro ring plain; volcaniclastic
sedimentation; Quaternary; New Zealand
G03036; Received 25 January 2003; accepted 22 August 2003; Online publication
date 7 September 2004
New Zealand Journal of Geology & Geophysics, 2004, Vol. 47: 549-565
0028-8306/04/4703-0549 © The Royal Society of New Zealand 2004
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