A 2000 yr rupture history for the Alpine fault derived from Lake Ellery, South Island, New Zealand

Research Article| March 01, 2016 A 2000 yr rupture history for the Alpine fault derived from Lake Ellery, South Island, New Zealand Jamie D. Howarth; Jamie D. Howarth † 1GNS Science, P.O. Box 30-368, Lower Hutt, New Zealand2Department of Geography, University of Otago, P.O. Box 56, Dunedin, New Zealand †j.howarth@gns.cri.nz Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Sean J. Fitzsimons; Sean J. Fitzsimons 2Department of Geography, University of Otago, P.O. Box 56, Dunedin, New Zealand Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Richard J. Norris; Richard J. Norris 3Department of Geology, University of Otago, P.O. Box 56, Dunedin, New Zealand Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Robert Langridge; Robert Langridge 1GNS Science, P.O. Box 30-368, Lower Hutt, New Zealand Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Marcus J. Vandergoes Marcus J. Vandergoes 1GNS Science, P.O. Box 30-368, Lower Hutt, New Zealand Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Author and Article Information Jamie D. Howarth † 1GNS Science, P.O. Box 30-368, Lower Hutt, New Zealand2Department of Geography, University of Otago, P.O. Box 56, Dunedin, New Zealand Sean J. Fitzsimons 2Department of Geography, University of Otago, P.O. Box 56, Dunedin, New Zealand Richard J. Norris 3Department of Geology, University of Otago, P.O. Box 56, Dunedin, New Zealand Robert Langridge 1GNS Science, P.O. Box 30-368, Lower Hutt, New Zealand Marcus J. Vandergoes 1GNS Science, P.O. Box 30-368, Lower Hutt, New Zealand †j.howarth@gns.cri.nz Publisher: Geological Society of America Received: 12 Feb 2015 Revision Received: 06 Sep 2015 Accepted: 26 Oct 2015 First Online: 09 Mar 2017 Online ISSN: 1943-2674 Print ISSN: 0016-7606 © 2015 Geological Society of America GSA Bulletin (2016) 128 (3-4): 627–643. https://doi.org/10.1130/B31300.1 Article history Received: 12 Feb 2015 Revision Received: 06 Sep 2015 Accepted: 26 Oct 2015 First Online: 09 Mar 2017 Cite View This Citation Add to Citation Manager Share Icon Share Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Permissions Search Site Citation Jamie D. Howarth, Sean J. Fitzsimons, Richard J. Norris, Robert Langridge, Marcus J. Vandergoes; A 2000 yr rupture history for the Alpine fault derived from Lake Ellery, South Island, New Zealand. GSA Bulletin 2016;; 128 (3-4): 627–643. doi: https://doi.org/10.1130/B31300.1 Download citation file: Ris (Zotero) Refmanager EasyBib Bookends Mendeley Papers EndNote RefWorks BibTex toolbar search Search Dropdown Menu toolbar search search input Search input auto suggest filter your search All ContentBy SocietyGSA Bulletin Search Advanced Search Abstract Determining the earthquake segmentation of plate-boundary transform faults remains a scientific challenge because paleoseismic data sets rarely resolve the end points of past ruptures. In this study, we test whether lacustrine paleoseismology can be used to assess rupture end points and the earthquake segmentation of the Alpine fault, one of the longest and fastest-slipping plate-boundary transform faults on Earth. Sediment cores from Lake Ellery record eight episodes of high-intensity shaking (modified Mercalli intensity [MM] IX) from Alpine fault earthquakes as event sequences of a turbidite produced by coseismic subaqueous mass wasting, overlain by deposits representing sediment flux from co- and postseismic landsliding in the fluvial catchment. Age-depth modeling constrains the timing of shaking events at a decadal resolution, facilitating correlation with two previously published lake records to reconstruct the spatial distribution of MM IX shaking along ∼150 km of the Alpine fault. When resolved with existing on- and near-fault paleoseismic records, the lake data set demonstrates that independent ruptures of the South Westland and Central segments occurred in A.D. 845–775 and A.D. 739–646, and A.D. 646–592 and A.D. 416–370, respectively. Lakes adjacent to the Alpine fault provide paleoseismic records with sufficient spatial and temporal resolution to define along-strike differences in the pattern of rupture capable of distinguishing rupture termination at a geometric segment boundary. This multilake study suggests that locating the end points of ruptures using lacustrine paleoseismology will be most applicable in midlatitude convergent plate-boundary settings where along-strike topography and Quaternary glaciation have resulted in the widespread distribution of suitable lakes. You do not have access to this content, please speak to your institutional administrator if you feel you should have access.