Collaborative Research: Investigation of the Evolution of the Southern Alps of New Zealand through Thermochronological Analysis of West Coast Granites

University Of Arizona, Tucson AZ

Investigators

Abstract

9909437 Brandon 9910522 Baldwin The Southern Alps of New Zealand are a relatively simple and geologically young example of transpressive continental collision, and has been the site of considerable recent research. However, important questions remain concerning the initial development and early evolution of the orogen. This project will attempt to determine the timing of the transition between pure transcurrent relative movement to the present obliquely convergent geometry of the suture fault, whether this event was diachronous along the Australian-Pacific plate fault and whether shear heating along the Alpine fault contributed to the thermal structure of the orogen. This work includes determining the time-temperature history of granitic rocks from the western footwall of the Alpine fault and thermal modeling. Results are expected to clarify early events in the development of the modern orogen.