Structure and deformational history of the inner forearc region, Hikurangi subduction margin, New Zealand

Abstract

Seismic reflection and outcrop data from the onshore Hikurangi forearc reveal the styles and history of deformation for a c. 3000 km² region between Dannevirke and Hawke’ s Bay. The data cover the forearc basin, including its western and eastern boundaries, and delineate folds and faults in a late Miocene‐Recent sedimentary sequence. Five seismic horizons, including the basement/Neogene cover unconformity (variable age), base Waipipian (3.7 Ma), base Mangapanian (3.2 Ma), base Nukumaruan (2.6 Ma), and base Castlecliffian (1.6 Ma) were identified using outcrop and well ties. These horizons were traced across the study region to provide information on the geometry, spatial distribution, and timing of structures. To the west, the range‐front fault is predominantly reverse and separates uplifted Torlesse basement of the axial ranges from Neogene forearc basin sediments. Structures within the forearc basin are dominated by north‐northeast‐striking reverse faults and associated asymmetric folds which parallel the subduction margin and often have sinuous traces. Faults are planar to depths of at least 1–2 km and typically dip at 30–80°NW (most often at 40–70°). Many faults in the basin terminate northwards and fault‐normal spacings decrease from 2–8 km in the Dannevirke area to c. 20 km near Hastings. Angular unconformities and syntectonic strata constrain the timing of deformation on fault/fold pairs. Faults within the forearc basin were active over two main periods, at c. ?3.1–2.5 Maandc. 1.6 Ma‐Recent. Active fault traces are confined to the edges of the forearc basin. In the west, the Mohaka and Ruahine Faults have mainly recent right‐lateral offsets, but interpretation of a seismic reflection line which crosses the Mohaka Fault indicates minimal (<300 m) right‐lateral displacement over the last 3 m.y., and lateral slip may not significantly predate the late Quaternary. In the east, a zone of reverse faults (including the Longlands, Poukawa, Tukituki, and Oruawharo Faults) began forming ate. 1 Ma and remains active. Margin‐normal shortening across the forearc basin and basin‐bounding structures ranges up to 5 mm/yr (120–180m/km) in the Dannevirke region but decreases to 1–2 mm/yr (c. 35 m/km) near Hastings. Total shortening within the Australian plate and normal to the central portion of the Hikurangi margin is at least 16 mm/yr (i.e. > c. 50% of the relative plate motion component at latitude 41°S), which is consistent with the plate interface being strongly coupled over much of the last c. 0.3–0.5 m.y.

Keywords:

• seismic reflection profiles
• Dannevirke
• Hawke's Bay
• Hikurangi subduction margin
• forearc basin
• Neogene
• structural evolution
• faults
• folds

Notes

Deceased

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