Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

A medial to distal volcaniclastic record of an andesite stratovolcano: detailed stratigraphy of the ring-plain succession of south-west Taranaki, New Zealand

  • Original Paper
  • Published:
International Journal of Earth Sciences Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The >25 ka volcaniclastic ring-plain succession in south-west Taranaki has been remapped to establish a much more detailed understanding of the older stratigraphic record of Mt. Taranaki. Coastal cliff exposures show a range of volcaniclastic lithofacies, including debris-avalanche and lahar deposits, and allow a detailed chronological reconstruction of past volcanic and sedimentary events. Five new debris-avalanche deposits were identified, and their distribution in coastal cross-sections mapped. In addition, four previously described units were renamed and their stratigraphic position and lateral extent redefined. Chronostratigraphic control of the younger (<50 ka) sequence was obtained by radiocarbon dating of wood found within, or peat interbedded with, the deposits. Emplacement ages of the older units were estimated from their stratigraphic position and underlying marine wave-cut surfaces. Overall, at least 14 widespread debris-avalanche deposits occur within the <200 ka ring-plain record of Mt. Taranaki, suggesting one major edifice failure on average every 14,000 years, with an increase in frequency since 40 ka. The stratigraphic reconstruction of the ring-plain succession showed that the same pattern of deposition was repeatedly produced throughout the existence of Mt. Taranaki. Depending on their sedimentological characteristics, the different volcanic and sedimentary lithofacies can be related to phases of edifice-construction or collapse events. Based on the identified cyclic sedimentation pattern, we present a new episodic stratigraphy that integrates existing and new lithostratigraphic units into a coherent chronostratigraphic framework that can be applied to the entire volcanic and volcaniclastic succession at Mt. Taranaki. This model takes into account the complex geological processes that have taken place on the volcano and provides a more uniform stratigraphic terminology that could be applied to repeatedly collapsing stratovolcanoes elsewhere.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7
Fig. 8
Fig. 9
Fig. 10
Fig. 11
Fig. 12
Fig. 13
Fig. 14

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Aitken JF, Campbell IB, Wilde RH (1978) Soils of Stratford County, North Island, New Zealand. New Zealand soil survey report 42

  • Alloway B (1989) Late Quaternary cover-bed stratigraphy and tephrochronology of north-eastern and central Taranaki, New Zealand. Unpublished PhD thesis, Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand

  • Alloway BV, Lowe DJ, Chan RPK, Eden DN, Froggatt PC (1994) Stratigraphy and chronology of a c. 4000 year old distal silicic tephra from Taupo Volcanic Centre, New Zealand. N Z J Geol Geophys 37:37–47

    Google Scholar 

  • Alloway BV, Neall VE, Vucetich CG (1995) Late Quaternary tephrostratigraphy of north-east and central Taranaki, New Zealand. J R Soc N Z 25:385–458

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Alloway B, McComb P, Neall V, Vucetich C, Gibb J, Sherburn S, Stirling M (2005) Stratigraphy, age, and correlation of voluminous debris avalanche events from an ancestral Egmont Volcano: implications for coastal plain construction and regional hazard assessment. J R Soc N Z 35:229–267

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Belousov A, Belousova M, Voight B (1999) Multiple edifice failures, debris avalanches and associated eruptions in the Holocene history of Shiveluch volcano, Kamchatka, Russia. Bull Volcanol 61:324–342

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cronin SJ, Neall VE (1997) A late Quaternary stratigraphic framework for the northeastern Ruapehu and eastern Tongariro ring plains, New Zealand. N Z J Geol Geophys 40:185–197

    Google Scholar 

  • Cronin SJ, Stewart RB, Neall VE, Platz T, Gaylord D (2003) The AD1040 to present Maero Eruptive Period of Egmont Volcano, Taranaki, New Zealand. Geol Soc N Z Miscell Public 16A:43

    Google Scholar 

  • Davidson JP, De Silva S (2000) Composite volcanoes. In: Sigurdsson H, Houghton B, McNutt S, Rymer H, Stix J (eds) Encyclopedia of volcanoes. Academic Press, San Diego, pp 663–681

    Google Scholar 

  • Downey WS, Kellett RJ, Smith IEM, Price RC, Stewart RB (1994) New paleomagnetic evidence for the recent eruptive activity of Mt Taranaki, NZ. J Volcanol Geothermal Res 60:15–28

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Druce AP (1966) Tree-ring dating of recent volcanic ash and lapilli, Mt. Egmont. N Z J Bot 4:3–41

    Google Scholar 

  • Fairbanks RG, Mortlock RA, Chiu T-C, Cao L, Kaplan A, Guilderson TP, Fairbanks TW, Bloom AL, Grootes PM, Nadeau MJ (2005) Radiocarbon calibration curve spanning 0 to 50,000 years BP based on paired 230Th/234U/238U and 14C dates on pristine corals. Quat Sci Rev 24:1781–1796

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Flemming CA (1953) The geology of Wanganui subdivision. N Z Geol Surv Bull 52

  • Gaylord DR, Neall VE, Palmer AS (1993) The Maitahi formation, A Mid-Pleistocene volcanic debris avalanche assemblage, Taranaki, New Zealand. Abstract in: Volcanic activity and the environment, abstracts of the IAVCEI, Puerto Vallarta, Mexico 1997 General Assembly. Gobierno de Jalisco. Unidad Editorial, Guadalajara, Mexico

    Google Scholar 

  • Geddes AM, Neall VE, Stewart RB (1981) Recent discovery of the westernmost occurrences of Aokautere Ash and implications for the late Quaternary in Taranaki. In: Howorth R et al. (eds) Proceedings of Tephra Workshop, vol 20. Geology Department, Victoria University of Wellington. Publication, pp 29–32

  • Glicken H (1991) Sedimentary architecture of large volcanic debris avalanches. In: Fisher RV, Smith GA (eds) Sedimentation in volcanic settings, vol 45. SEPM Special Publication, pp 99–106

  • Grant-Taylor TL (1964) Volcanic history of Western Taranaki. N Z J Geol Geophys 7:78–86

    Google Scholar 

  • Grant-Taylor TL, Kear D (1970) Geology. In: Land inventory survey, Waimate West Country. Department of Lands and Survey, Wellington, pp 20–33

  • Grant-Taylor TL, Rafter TA (1963a) New Zealand natural radiocarbon measurements 1–5. Radiocarbon 5:118–162

    Google Scholar 

  • Grant-Taylor TL, Rafter TA (1963b) New Zealand radiocarbon measurements–6. N Z J Geol Geophys 14:364–402

    Google Scholar 

  • Hay RF (1967) Sheet 7 Taranaki. Geological map of New Zealand 1:250,000. Department of Scientific and Industrial Research, Wellington, New Zealand

    Google Scholar 

  • Lagmay AMF, de Vries B, Kerle N, Pyle DM (2000) Volcano instability induced by strike-slip faulting. Bull Volcanol 62:331–346

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lecointre JA, Neall VE, Palmer AS (1998) Quaternary lahar stratigraphy of the western Ruapehu ring plain, New Zealand. N Z J Geol Geophys 41:225–245

    Google Scholar 

  • Lensen GJ (1959) Sheet 10 Wanganui. Geological map of New Zealand 1:250,000. Department of Scientific and Industrial Research, Wellington, New Zealand

    Google Scholar 

  • McDougall JC, Gibb JG (1970) Patea sediments. New Zealand Oceanographic Institute chart, coastal series 1:200,000

  • McGlone MS, Neall VE, Pillans BJ (1984) Inaha terrace deposits: a late Quaternary terrestrial record in South Taranaki, New Zealand. N Z J Geol Geophys 27:35–49

    Google Scholar 

  • McGlone MS, Neall VE, Clarkson BD (1988) The effect of recent volcanic events and climate changes on the vegetation of Mt Taranaki (Egmont), New Zealand. N Z J Bot 26:123–144

    Google Scholar 

  • Neall VE (1971) Volcanic domes and lineations in Egmont National Park. N Z J Geol Geophys 14:71–81

    Google Scholar 

  • Neall VE (1972) Tephrochronology and tephrostratigraphy of western Taranaki (N108–109), New Zealand. N Z J Geol Geophys 15:507–557

    Google Scholar 

  • Neall VE (1975) Climate-controlled redeposition on Pouakai ring plain, Taranaki, New Zealand. N Z J Geol Geophys 18:317–326

    Google Scholar 

  • Neall VE (1976) Genesis and weathering of Andosols in Taranaki, New Zealand. Soil Sci 123:400–408

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Neall VE (1979) Sheets P19, P20 and P2 l New Plymouth, Egmont and Manaia, Geological Map of New Zealand 1:50,000. 3 maps and notes. New Zealand Department of Science and Industrial Research, Wellington, p 36

    Google Scholar 

  • Neall VE (2003) The volcanic history of Taranaki. Institute of Natural Resources–Massey University, Soil & Earth Sciences Occasional Publication No. 2

  • Neall VE, Alloway BE (2004) Quaternary geological map of Taranaki. Institute of Natural Resources–Massey University, Soil & Earth Sciences Occasional Publication No. 4

  • Neall VE, Stewart RB, Smith IEM (1986) History and petrology of the Taranaki volcanoes. R Soc N Z Bull 23:251–263

    Google Scholar 

  • Palmer BA, Neall VE (1991) Contrasting lithofacies architecture in ring plain deposits related to edifice construction and destruction, the Quaternary Stratford and Opunake Formations, Egmont Volcano, New Zealand. Sed Geol 74:71–88

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Palmer BA, Alloway BV, Neall VE (1991) Volcanic-debris-avalanche deposits in New Zealand–lithofacies organisation in unconfined, wet-avalanche flows. In: Fisher RV, Smith GA (eds) Sedimentation in volcanic settings, vol 45. SEPM Special Publication, pp 89–98

  • Parfitt R, Pollok JA, Furkert RJ (eds) (1981) Guide book for tour 1, pre-conference North Island. Soils with variable charge conference, Palmerston North New Zealand. PD Hasselberg, Government Printer, Wellington, New Zealand, 153 p

  • Pillans BJ (1983) Upper Quaternary marine terrace chronology and deformation South Taranaki, New Zealand. Geology 11:292–297

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pillans BJ (1990) Late Quaternary marine terraces, south Taranaki- Wanganui (NZMS sheet Q22 and part sheets Q20, Q21, R21 and R22) 1:100, 000. New Zealand Geological Survey Miscellaneous Series Map, 18. New Zealand Department of Scientific and Industrial Research, Wellington

    Google Scholar 

  • Platz T (2007) Aspects of Dome-forming Eruptions from Andesitic Volcanoes through the Maero Eruptive Period (1000 yrs BP to Present) Activity at Mt. Taranaki, New Zealand. Unpublished PhD Thesis, INR, Massey University, New Zealand

  • Procter JN (2009) Towards improving volcanic mass flow hazard assessment at New Zealand stratovolcanoes. Unpublished PhD Thesis, INR, Massey University, New Zealand

  • Procter JN, Cronin SJ, Zernack AV (2009) Landscape and sedimentary response to catastrophic debris avalanches, western Taranaki, New Zealand. Sed Geol 220:271–287

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Salvador A (ed) (1994) International stratigraphic guide. A guide to stratigraphic classification, terminology, and procedure, 2 edn. Subcommission on Stratigraphic Classification of IUGS International Commission on Stratigraphy and Geological Society of America. Boulder, Colorado, 214 pp

  • Scott KM (1989) Magnitude and frequency of lahars and lahar runout flows in the Toutle-Cowlitz river system. US Geological Survey Professional Paper 1447-B:1–33

  • Scott KM, Macias JL, Naranjo J, Rodriguez S, McGeehin JP (2001) Catastrophic debris flows transformed from landslides in volcanic terrains: mobility, hazard assessment and mitigation strategies. US Geological Survey Professional Papers 1630, 59 p

  • Siebert L (1984) Large volcanic debris avalanches: characteristics of source area, deposits, and associated eruptions. J Volcanol Geothermal Res 22:163–197

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Smith GA (1987) The influence of explosive volcanism on fluvial sedimentation: the Deschutes formation (Neogene) in central Oregon. J Sed Petrol 57:613–629

    Google Scholar 

  • Smith GA (1988) Sedimentology of proximal to distal volcaniclastics dispersed across an active foldbelt: Ellensburg Formation (late Miocene), central Washington. Sedimentology 35:953–977

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Stewart RB, Neall VE, Pollock JA, Syers JK (1977) Parent material stratigraphy of an Egmont loam profile, Taranaki, New Zealand. Aust J Soil Res 15:177–190

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Stewart RB, Price RC, Smith IE (1996) Evolution of high-K arc magma, Egmont volcano, Taranaki, New Zealand: evidence from mineral chemistry. J Volcanol Geothermal Res 74:275–295

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Turner MB (2008) Eruption cycles and magmatic processes at a reawakening volcano, Mt. Taranaki, New Zealand. Unpublished PhD Thesis, INR, Massey University, New Zealand

  • Turner MB, Bebbington MS, Cronin SJ, Stewart RB (2009) Merging eruption datasets: building an integrated Holocene eruptive record for Mt Taranaki, New Zealand. Bull Volcanol 71:903–918

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ui T, Kawachi S, Neall VE (1986) Fragmentation of debris avalanche material during flowage–evidence from the Pungarehu Formation, Mount Egmont, New Zealand. J Volcanol Geothermal Res 27:255–264

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Vallance JW, Scott KM (1997) The Osceola Mudflow from Mount Rainier; sedimentology and hazard implications of a huge clay-rich debris flow. Bull Geol Soc Am 109:143–163

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Vallance JW, Siebert L, Rose WI Jr, Giron JR, Banks NG (1995) Edifice collapse and related hazards in Guatemala. J Volcanol Geothermal Res 66:337–355

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Van Wyk de Vries B, Borgia A (1996) The role of basement in volcano deformation. In: McGuire WJ, Jones AP, Neuberg J (eds) Volcano Instability on the Earth and other planets, vol 110. Geological Society of London Special Publication, pp 95–110

  • Wellman HW (1962) Holocene of the North Island of New Zealand: a coastal reconnaissance. Trans Roy Soc N Z Geol 1:29–99

    Google Scholar 

  • Zernack AV (2008) A sedimentological and geochemical approach to understanding cycles of stratovolcano growth and collapse at Mt Taranaki, New Zealand. Unpublished PhD Thesis, INR, Massey University, New Zealand

  • Zernack AV, Procter JN, Cronin SJ (2009) Sedimentary signatures of cyclic growth and destruction of stratovolcanoes: a case study from Mt. Taranaki, NZ. Sed Geol 220:288–305

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

AVZ was supported by a Massey University and German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) Doctoral Scholarship, and the George Mason Trust. SJC, VEN and JNP are supported by the New Zealand Foundation for Research, Science and Technology contract MAUX0401 “Learning to Live with Volcanic Risk”. We are grateful to V. Manville and B. van Wyk de Vries for constructive reviews and helpful suggestions.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Laboratoire Magmas et Volcans, Université Blaise Pascal, 5 Rue Kessler, 63038, Clermont-Ferrand, France

    A. V. Zernack

  2. Institute of Natural Resources, Massey University, Private Bag 11 222, Palmerston North, 4442, New Zealand

    S. J. Cronin, V. E. Neall & J. N. Procter

Authors
  1. A. V. Zernack
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. S. J. Cronin
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. V. E. Neall
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. J. N. Procter
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to A. V. Zernack.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Zernack, A.V., Cronin, S.J., Neall, V.E. et al. A medial to distal volcaniclastic record of an andesite stratovolcano: detailed stratigraphy of the ring-plain succession of south-west Taranaki, New Zealand. Int J Earth Sci (Geol Rundsch) 100, 1937–1966 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00531-010-0610-6

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00531-010-0610-6

Keywords

Search

Navigation