Awatere Fault

Awatere Fault
LocationSouth Island, New Zealand
CountryNew Zealand
Characteristics
Segments2; Molesworth and Eastern
Length175km
Tectonics
PlateAustralian Plate, Pacific Plate
StatusActive
Earthquakes1848 Marlborough earthquake
Typedextral strike-slip fault
New Zealand geology database (includes faults)
Map of the Marlborough Fault System

The Awatere Fault is an active dextral (right lateral) strike-slip fault in the northeastern part of South Island, New Zealand. It forms part of the Marlborough fault system, which accommodates the transfer of displacement along the oblique convergent boundary between the Indo-Australian plate and Pacific plate, from the transform Alpine Fault to the Hikurangi Trough subduction zone.[1] The 1848 Marlborough earthquake was caused by rupture of the whole of the eastern section of the Awatere Fault.[2] The 175 km (109 mi) long Awatere Fault is formed of two main segments; the Molesworth section to the southwest and the Eastern section to the northeast.[3] A further strand links the southwestern end of the Eastern section to the Clarence Fault, passing through Barefell Pass.[4]

  1. ^ Langridge, R.; Campbell J.; Hill N.; Pere V.; Pope J.; Pettinga J.; Estrada B.; Berryman K. (2003). "Paleoseismology and slip rate of the Conway Segment of the Hope Fault at Greenburn Stream, South Island, New Zealand" (PDF). Annals of Geophysics. 46 (5). Retrieved 27 June 2010.
  2. ^ Mason, D.P.M.; Little, T.A. (2006). "Refined slip distribution and moment magnitude of the 1848 Marlborough earthquake, Awatere Fault, New Zealand". New Zealand Journal of Geology and Geophysics. 49 (3): 375–382. doi:10.1080/00288306.2006.9515174.: 375 
  3. ^ Geotech Consulting Ltd (May 2003). "Identification of active fault traces in Marlborough District". Marlborough District Seismic Hazard Investigation Programme. Archived from the original on 22 May 2010. Retrieved 2 July 2010.
  4. ^ Cite error: The named reference Grapes was invoked but never defined (see the help page).