Stratigraphy of the lower Waipara Gorge, North Canterbury*

Summary In the lower Waipara Gorge, North Canterbury, sediments ranging in age from Awamoan to Holocene form a sequence about 4000 ft thick. There is an unconformity below the Waitotaran, and no Taranaki Series is present. Marine sedimentation gave way to nOh‐marine about the beginning of the Nukumaruan. Two new formations are established; the Double Corner Shell‐beds of Waiauan age, and the Greenwood Formation of Waitotaran to possibly Nukumaruan age. The marine sediments contain rich molluscan faunas.