Story: Geology – overview

Torlesse greywacke, Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park

Torlesse greywacke, Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park

Much of New Zealand’s mountainous spine is underlain by the rocks grouped together as Torlesse greywacke. This exposure on the side of Wakefield Ridge in Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park consists of thick beds of greywacke (light grey) with thinner layers of hardened mudstone known as argillite (black). When deposited the rocks were horizontal, but they were later deformed and uplifted so that they are now almost vertical.

Using this item

GNS Science
Reference: CN10329/10
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 and Simon Nathan, 'Geology – overview - Building a continent', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/photograph/8304/torlesse-greywacke-aorakimount-cook-national-park (accessed 29 March 2024)

Story by Eileen McSaveney and Simon Nathan, published 12 Jun 2006