Kōrero: Geology – overview

Uplifted terrace, Māhia

Uplifted terrace, Māhia

Table Cape (also known as Kahutara Point) is a gently sloping marine terrace on Māhia Peninsula. This surface formed at sea level by wave erosion during the last interglacial period, about 125,000 years ago. It has been uplifted and tilted by many past earthquakes.

The same terrace is preserved close to the coast at many places around New Zealand. With a broad view of the surrounding sea and land, such sites were favoured by Māori for the construction of .

Te whakamahi i tēnei tūemi

GNS Science
Reference: CN1590/16
Photograph by Lloyd Homer

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

Ngā whakaahua me ngā rauemi katoa o tēnei kōrero

Te tuhi tohutoro mō tēnei whārangi:

Eileen McSaveney and Simon Nathan, 'Geology – overview - Quaternary coasts and rivers', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/mi/photograph/8397/uplifted-terrace-mahia (accessed 30 March 2024)

He kōrero nā Eileen McSaveney and Simon Nathan, i tāngia i te 12 Jun 2006