Story: Landscapes – overview

Murihiku rocks

Murihiku rocks

Eastern Southland lies on Murihiku rocks – muddy sandstone, gravel and volcanic ash, deposited 150–250 million years ago. Originally horizontal, these rocks have been tilted and folded by tectonic movements. Erosion has exposed harder bands, mainly compacted gravel, which extend for tens of kilometres.

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GNS Science
Reference: CN43841/16
Photograph by Lloyd Homer

Permission of GNS Science must be obtained before any use of this image.

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How to cite this page:

Eileen McSaveney, 'Landscapes – overview - Southland and Stewart Island', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/photograph/13058/murihiku-rocks (accessed 27 April 2024)

Story by Eileen McSaveney, published 24 Sep 2007, updated 1 Jul 2015