Understanding sedimentary systems and processes of the Hikurangi subduction margin; from Trench to Back-Arc. Volume 2

ABSTRACT

This is the second of a two-part New Zealand Journal of Geology and Geophysics Special Issue on understanding sedimentary systems in Aotearoa-New Zealand’s Hikurangi Subduction Margin (HSM). This volume includes six research papers that explore sediment-tectonic interactions operating over a range of spatio-temporal scales. We take a distinctive perspective moving from the subduction deformation front in the Hikurangi Trough, upslope to the subduction wedge, and onshore to the Coastal Ranges. Temporally, papers span the onset of subduction in the Miocene, to disentangling provenance of turbidity currents triggered by the 2016 CE Kaikōura Earthquake. Collectively, the studies in the special issue reveal a complicated and continually evolving margin, where active tectonics and volcanism, coupled with vigorous climatic and oceanographic drivers, modulate erosion, transport, and depositional cycles of vast volumes of terrigenous sediment into ocean basins. Despite decades of significant research advances in our knowledge of the HSM, considerable scope remains for future work. A deeper understanding of fundamental tectonic-sediment interactions operating on active margins, along with the significant geohazards they pose remain outstanding research needs. Collectively, Volumes 1 and 2 highlight enduring interest in the HSM as a globally important natural laboratory for the study of subduction zone geoscience.

KEYWORDS:

• Hikurangi subduction margin
• sedimentary basins
• SW Pacific
• Miocene
• Quaternary
• IODP
• biostratigraphy
• New Zealand

Acknowledgments

The guest editors thank all the authors who have contributed their work to the Special Issue. We would also like to warmly acknowledge the reviewers who generously shared their time and knowledge to improve these contributions. We would like to thank Anthony Shorrock who created the stunning deep marine model image for the front cover of the volume. This volume would not have been possible without the hard work of Fei He at the Royal Society of New Zealand and Taylor & Francis.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.