Otago fault system
Open-knowledge reference entry
The Otago fault system (also known as Otago reverse fault province) contains multiple faults with the potential to have rupture events greater than Mw 7 in magnitude. These are parallel to, and to the east of the Alpine Fault in the south eastern part of the South Island of New Zealand. It accommodates about 2 mm (0.079 in)/year of contraction.
Geography
East of the Southern Alps, Central Otago has a number of parallel, northeast trending ranges separating broad, flat-bottomed valleys which extend to the coast of Otago. These ranges are associated with the main reverse faults of the system. Near the Southern Alps the faults with this north-east trend continue through Lindis Pass into South Canterbury and so the Dalrachney/Lindis Pass Fault and the Ostler Fault Zone in South Canterbury are geologically related to the Otago fault system. Otago, towards the coast, is separated from South Canterbury by the Waitaki River and the south western aspect of this river valley is defined by mainly normal north-northwest striking faults such as the Hawkdun Fault, and Waihemo fault zone. The south eastern part of the zone is limited by Fiordland and the Hillfoot Fault in Southland which is a reverse fault on the Otago side of the Hokonui Hills and The Catlins. Just off the coast from Dunedin towards the south are several active northeast-trending faults of the system.
Geology
Tectonics
The boundary between the Australian and Pacific plates passes through the west of the South Island of New Zealand, as the very active by world standards, Alpine Fault.
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