A paleontological assessment of stream sections near Matata, North Island, New Zealand.

Abstract

In 2005 the stream sections to the south west of Matata, Bay of Plenty, New Zealand, were affected by large debris flows after a significant storm. These debris flows caused the exposure of excellent cliff outcrops of marine and non-marine units of Pleistocene age in the Ohinekoao and Awatarariki streams. These siliciclastic, volcaniclastic and volcanic deposits constitute part of the Castlecliffian age Matata Formation. These sections lie on the western edge of the Whakatane Graben, the most northerly portion of the Taupo Rift. Due to its position this region is spreading at the fastest rate (~15cm per year, Rowland et al., 2010) of anywhere in the rift, making it a prime location for studying paleoenvironments. The stratigraphy and lithology of the sequences were recorded in detail to aid both paleoenvironmental reconstruction and stratigraphic correlation between stream valleys.