Story: Manawatū and Horowhenua region

Loess and ash

Loess and ash

Thick layers of wind-blown dust, known as loess, accumulated over parts of the Manawatū region during glacial periods, when there was little vegetation. This roadside cutting is at Aokautere, near Palmerston North. The thin white layer in the upper part is Ōruanui ash, produced when Taupō erupted about 26,500 years ago.

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Massey University
Photograph by Alan Palmer

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How to cite this page:

Malcolm McKinnon, 'Manawatū and Horowhenua region - Features of the landscape', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/photograph/9466/loess-and-ash (accessed 29 March 2024)

Story by Malcolm McKinnon, updated 1 Apr 2015