Story: Active faults

The Alpine Fault beside Martyr River, South Westland

The Alpine Fault beside Martyr River, South Westland

Because of the heavy forest cover on the West Coast, good exposures of the Alpine Fault are rare. This outcrop, beside the Martyr River, shows crushed schist (upper right) thrust over fan gravels. The fault dips at about 40° to the east, which is typical of other exposures that have been recorded.

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Department of Geology, University of Otago
Photograph by Alan Cooper

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How to cite this page:

Eileen McSaveney, 'Active faults - New Zealand’s longest active faults', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/photograph/4371/the-alpine-fault-beside-martyr-river-south-westland (accessed 25 April 2024)

Story by Eileen McSaveney, published 12 Jun 2006, reviewed & revised 1 Aug 2017