Regional fracture patterns east of the Alpine Fault between the Fox and Franz Josef Glaciers, Westland, New Zealand

A study of lineaments traced from aerial photographs shows three prominent orientations in the region immediately east of the Alpine Fault between the Fox and Waiho valleys, Westland, New Zealand. One set trends about 025°, parallel to the foliation in the Alpine Schist. A second, minor set of lineaments trends 130° and may be related to extension fractures. The third lineament set trends east‐west. Detailed fieldwork on prominent east‐west faults in the Waiho valley shows that they are dextral strike‐slip faults, with evidence for additional late‐stage normal displacement. All of the faults investigated exhibit only small displacements. Fault orientations are consistent with theoretical and geodetically measured regional strain east of the Alpine Fault.