Story: Historic earthquakes

Uplifted storm beaches, Turakirae Head

Uplifted storm beaches, Turakirae Head

A series of storm beach ridges at Turakirae Head and along the shoreline of Palliser Bay indicate successive uplift of the southern end of the Remutaka Range during major earthquakes. The ridge very close to the shore is the present storm beach ridge. Next inland is the ridge that was raised 6.4 metres in 1855. Further inland is a ridge dated at about 2,300 years ago, and the faint ridge near the base of the hills is dated at about 5,000 years ago.

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GNS Science
Reference: CN07495/11
Photograph by Lloyd Homer

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How to cite this page:

Eileen McSaveney, 'Historic earthquakes - The 1855 Wairarapa earthquake', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/photograph/4436/uplifted-storm-beaches-turakirae-head (accessed 19 April 2024)

Story by Eileen McSaveney, published 12 Jun 2006, reviewed & revised 28 Mar 2011, updated 1 Nov 2017