Hillslope response to climate-modulated river incision in the Waipaoa catchment, East Coast North Island, New Zealand

Research Article| January 01, 2015 Hillslope response to climate-modulated river incision in the Waipaoa catchment, East Coast North Island, New Zealand Eric L. Bilderback; Eric L. Bilderback † 1Geologic Resources Division, National Park Service, P.O. Box 25287, Denver, Colorado 80225, USA †E-mail: ericofthenorth@gmail.com. Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Jarg R. Pettinga; Jarg R. Pettinga 2Department of Geological Sciences, University of Canterbury, P.B. 4800, Christchurch 8140, New Zealand Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Nicola J. Litchfield; Nicola J. Litchfield 3GNS Science, P.O. Box 30368, Lower Hutt 5040, New Zealand Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Mark Quigley; Mark Quigley 2Department of Geological Sciences, University of Canterbury, P.B. 4800, Christchurch 8140, New Zealand Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Michael Marden; Michael Marden 4Landcare Research, P.O. Box 445, Gisborne 4010, New Zealand Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Josh J. Roering; Josh J. Roering 5Department of Geological Science, University of Oregon, 1275 E 13th Avenue, Eugene, Oregon 97403, USA Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Alan S. Palmer Alan S. Palmer 6Institute of Agriculture and Environment, Massey University, P.B. 11222, Palmerston North 4442, New Zealand Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar GSA Bulletin (2015) 127 (1-2): 131–148. https://doi.org/10.1130/B31015.1 Article history received: 16 Oct 2013 rev-recd: 02 Jun 2014 accepted: 25 Jun 2014 first online: 08 Mar 2017 Cite View This Citation Add to Citation Manager Share Icon Share Facebook Twitter LinkedIn MailTo Tools Icon Tools Get Permissions Search Site Citation Eric L. Bilderback, Jarg R. Pettinga, Nicola J. Litchfield, Mark Quigley, Michael Marden, Josh J. Roering, Alan S. Palmer; Hillslope response to climate-modulated river incision in the Waipaoa catchment, East Coast North Island, New Zealand. GSA Bulletin 2015;; 127 (1-2): 131–148. doi: https://doi.org/10.1130/B31015.1 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 Quantifying how hillslopes respond to river incision and climate change is fundamental to understanding the evolution of uplifting landscapes during glacial-interglacial cycles. We investigated the interplay among uplift, river incision, and hillslope response in the nonglacial Waipaoa River catchment located in the exhumed inner forearc of an active subduction margin on the East Coast of the North Island of New Zealand. New high-resolution topographic data sets (light detection and ranging [lidar] and photogrammetry) combined with field mapping and tephrochronology indicate that hillslopes adjusted to rapid latest Pleistocene and Holocene river incision through the initiation and reactivation of deep-seated landslides. In the erodible marine sedimentary rocks of the Waipaoa sedimentary system, postincision deep-seated landslides can occupy over 30% of the surface area. The ages of tephra cover beds identified by electron microprobe analysis on 80 tephra samples from 173 soil test pits and 64 soil auger sites show that 4000–5000 yr after the initiation of river incision, widespread hillslope adjustment started between the deposition of the ca. 14,000 cal. yr B.P. Waiohau Tephra and the ca. 9420 cal. yr B.P. Rotoma Tephra. Tephrochronology and geomorphic mapping analysis indicate that river incision and deep-seated landslide slope adjustment were synchronous between main-stem rivers and headwater tributaries. Hillslope response in the catchment can include the entire slope, measured from river to ridgeline, and, in some cases, the interfluves between incising subcatchments have been dramatically modified through ridgeline retreat and/or lowering. Using the results of our landform tephrochronology and geomorphic mapping, we derive a conceptual time series of hillslope response to uplift and climate change–induced river incision over the last glacial-interglacial cycle. You do not have access to this content, please speak to your institutional administrator if you feel you should have access.