Tectonic Geomorphology and Paleoseismicity of the Northern Esk Fault, North Canterbury, New Zealand

Abstract

Geomorphic, structural and chronological data are used to establish the late Quaternary paleoseismicity of the active dextral-oblique Northern Esk Fault in North Canterbury, New Zealand. Detailed field mapping of the preserved c. 35 km of surface traces between the Hurunui River and Ashley Head reveals variations in strike ranging from 005��_ to 057��_ The results of this study show that the Northern Esk Fault accommodates an important component of the c. 0.7 ��_ 2 mm/yr of unresolved strain across the plate boundary within the North Canterbury region and affirm the Esk Fault as a source of potentially damaging ground shaking in the Canterbury region