Geology of the Auckland Region

The Auckland Region of New Zealand is built on a basement of greywacke rocks that form many of the islands in the Hauraki Gulf, the Hunua Ranges, and land south of Port Waikato. The Waitakere Ranges in the west are the remains of a large andesitic volcano, and Great Barrier Island was formed by the northern end of the Coromandel Volcanic Zone. The main isthmus and North Shore are composed of Waitemata sandstone and mudstone, and portions of the Northland Allochthon extend as far south as Albany. Little Barrier Island was formed by a relatively isolated andesitic volcano, active around 1 to 3 million years ago.

The Manukau and South Kaipara Harbours are protected by the recent sand dune deposits of the Awhitu and South Kaipara Peninsulas. Recent basaltic volcanic activity has produced many volcanic cones throughout the Auckland Region, including the iconic Rangitoto Island.

Basement rocks

As with most of New Zealand, the basement rocks of the Auckland Region are composed of greywacke (indurated sandstone, siltstone and mudstone).

Murihiku Terrane Greywacke lies beneath the Auckland Region on the western side, and outcrops south of the Waikato River. The Murihiku Terrane is considered to be an accretionary wedge of mainly volcanogenic forearc sediments. It was formed in Late Triassic to Late Jurassic times (220-145 Ma).

A line of Maitai Terrane rocks are assumed to pass north-south through the centre of the Auckland Region, separating the Murihiku Terrane and Waipapa Composite Terrane, and produce a detectable Junction Magnetic Anomaly (JMA), but do not outcrop. Some Murihiku rocks occur to the east of the JMA, forming the Taupiri and Hakarimata Ranges, but it is assumed that these rocks have been shifted to their present position.

Hunua Terrane Greywacke lies beneath the Auckland Region on the eastern side, as far south as the Hunua Ranges, and outcrops in the Hunua Ranges, many islands in the Hauraki Gulf (Waiheke, Motutapu, Motuihe, Tiritiri Matangi, Kawau, etc.), and Tawharanui Peninsula. It sometimes includes Chert and Argillite. The rocks are generally fine grained and highly deformed. It was formed in Late Triassic to Late Jurassic times (220-145 Ma).

The Morrinsville Terrane Greywacke lies beneath the Auckland Region on the eastern side, south of the Hunua Ranges, and further east to the Coromandel Peninsula. The rocks are generally coarser grained, with massive sandstones and conglomerate. It was formed in Late Jurassic to Early Cretaceous times (160-120 Ma).

Te Kuiti group coal and limestone

The Te Kuiti Group Rocks overlie the basement rocks, and are present in Northland, Auckland, the Waikato, and King Country, although they have often been eroded or covered. Rocks containing coal were formed from swampland in Late Eocene times (37-34 Ma). The land sank and the sea transgressed, and calcareous sandstone, mudstone, and limestone was deposited in Oligocene times (34-24 Ma).

The coal deposits outcrop near Huntly and Maramarua, where they are mined.

Some amazing scenery, composed of flaggy limestone bluffs, exists in the area south and west of the Waikato River.

The Northland Allochthon

In Early Miocene times (24-21 Ma), a series of thrust sheets was emplaced over Northland, extending as far south as the Kaipara Harbour and Albany areas. The rocks came from the northeast, and were emplaced in reverse order, but the right way up. The original rocks are of Cretaceous to Oligocene age (90-25 Ma), and include mudstones, limestone and basalt lava. These rocks outcrop around Silverdale, Warkworth, and Wellsford, reaching as far south as Albany.[1]

West Coast volcanism

A volcanic arc became active to the west of the current land in Northland in Miocene times (23 Ma), and gradually moved south down to Taranaki. It produced mainly andesitic strato-volcanoes. Volcanoes were produced in what is now sea to the west of the Auckland Region, near the Kaipara Harbour and Waitakere Ranges (22-16 Ma), and Waikato Heads (14-8 Ma).

The Waitakere volcano has mainly been eroded, but conglomerate from the volcano formed the Waitakere Ranges. The Waitakere Ranges also contain many dikes, volcanic plugs, etc., that formed part of this volcano.

Waitemata sandstone

While the volcanic activity occurred to the west, a rapidly deepening basin developed further to the east, in the Auckland area.

These Early Miocene volcanoes, along with the Northland Allochthon, eroded and deposited most of the material that makes up the Waitemata sandstones and mudstones in the Waitemata Basin. The Waitemata sandstones and mudstones form the cliffs around the Waitemata Harbour and East Coast Bays, and land further north up to Cape Rodney, with outcrops further south down to Mercer and Miranda. Lahars produced the coarser Parnell Grit, found in many headlands around the East Coast Bays. Greywacke pebble beaches can be seen forming a layer in Waitemata sandstone cliffs on Motutapu Island.

Coromandel volcanism

Shortly after (18 Ma), a volcanic arc developed further east to create the Coromandel Ranges and undersea Colville Ridge. The initial activity was andesitic, but later became rhyolytic (12 Ma). In the Kauaeranga Valley, impressive volcanic plugs remain, as does a lava lake that now forms the top of Table Mountain. Active geothermal systems, similar to those that now exist near Rotorua, were present around 6 Ma, and produced the gold and silver deposits that were later mined in the Coromandel gold rush. Later (5-2 Ma), volcanic activity moved further south to form the Kaimai Ranges.

The Hauraki Plains and Hauraki Gulf are believed to represent a rift valley. The Coromandel Ranges used to be much closer to Auckland, and the rift valley is assumed to have developed about 2 Ma ago, due to the clockwise rotation of the eastern North Island, that stretched the land between Auckland and East Cape. The Waikato River used to flow from Karapiro, through the Hinuera Gap, and Hauraki Plains, to come out on the east coast in the Hauraki Gulf. The sediment from Oruanui eruption of Lake Taupo caused the river to change direction, and come out to the west. Rivers around Auckland, that now flow to the east, such as the rivers around Clevedon, used to flow to the west, and deposited rocks from the Coromandel Ranges in the Manukau Harbour.

Recent basaltic volcanism

Intra-plate basaltic volcanism in the Auckland region started in the south, at Okete, near Raglan in late Pliocene times (2.7-1.8 Ma), and has moved north since then. Lava flows from the Okete Volcanic Field generated the Bridal Veil Falls. Scoria cones and tuff rings were also generated.

Activity then moved to the Ngatutura Volcanic Field, south of Port Waikato in early Pleistocene times (1.8-1.5 Ma). Little remains of this field.

South Auckland Volcanic Field

Activity then moved to the South Auckland Volcanic Field, in the area from Pukekawa north to Waiuku and Papakura, in mid Pleistocene times (1.5-0.5 Ma), producing over 100 eruptions. This field includes the lava flows at Hunua Falls, scoria cones that form the Bombay Hills, Pukekohe and Pukekawa, and tuff rings at Pukekohe and Onewhero. The rich soils used for market gardening in this area are the product of the Hamilton Ash tephra formation, not the weathering of the South Auckland Volcanic Field.

Auckland Volcanic Field

The Auckland Volcanic Field,[2] is believed to have started around 250,000 years ago, and is still active. It covers the area from Wiri in the south, through the Auckland Isthmus, to Lake Pupuke and Rangitoto Island in the north, and contains around 50 vents.

The field contains many maar craters, generated by eruptions where the magma encountered water, and a series of explosive eruptions produced a large crater, surrounded by a tuff ring. Examples include Lake Pupuke, Onepoto, Tuff Crater, Orakei Basin, Pukaki Lagoon, etc. Many of the craters have been breached by the sea, and are now filled with mud. The eruption of Lake Pupuke caused the Wairau River, which used to come out around Little Shoal Bay, to change its course to north of Milford.

Dry fire-fountaining eruptions have produced scoria cones. Examples include North Head, Mount Victoria, Mount Eden, Mount Hobson, Mount St Johns, One Tree Hill, Mount Roskill, Three Kings, Mount Albert, Mount Mangere. Some produced substantial lava flows. For example, a lava flow from Mt St John flows through Sandringham, Morningside, Western Springs, and out to the Waitemata Harbour, forming Te Tokaroa Reef, which reaches within 500 m of Kauri Point, Birkenhead. Some lava flows contain caves, for example at Wiri, Three Kings, and One Tree Hill.

Rangitoto Island is the most recent volcano, erupting around 600 years ago. Apart from the summit, it is composed of Pahoehoe (smooth) and ’A’a (broken) lava flows, which are still largely bare of vegetation or soil. It also has lava caves, near the track up to the summit, that are very accessible to visitors.

While the ages of individual volcanoes in the Auckland Volcanic Field are somewhat uncertain, the following ages have been obtained:

Pumice deposits

Over the last few million years, rhyolitic pumice deposits from the centre of the North Island have been washed down into the Auckland area, and form substantial deposits around the Hauraki Plains and Manukau Harbour, Western Waitemata Harbour, and even up into the Kaipara Harbour.

Coastal dunes

The Awhitu Peninsula (the west coast from Waikato Heads up to Manukau Heads), and the coastal barriers north and south of the entry to the Kaipara Harbour, are essentially consolidated sand dunes, built up over the last few million years.

The black sand on the west coast beaches is known for its high iron content, and is “mined” north of Waikato Heads, being extracted by electromagnets. The iron comes from the undersea volcanoes, to the west of the coast, and from the Tongariro Volcanic Centre, and Taranaki.

Quartz sand to the north of Auckland, around Tawharanui and Pakiri, appears white, due to its purity.

Geological sites of interest

As a very recent volcano, Rangitoto Island is exceptionally interesting. Apart from the summit, it is composed of Pahoehoe (smooth) and ’A’a (broken) lava flows. A walk up to the scoria summit passes lava caves. The vegetation is also exceptionally interesting, with pohutukawa forests, astelia growing on the lava, and a grove of kidney ferns.

The coast on Motutapu Island from Islington Bay to Administration Bay starts with Waitemata sandstone cliffs, and finishes with greywacke and chert near Administration Bay. Ancient greywacke pebble beaches can be seen embedded in the Waitemata sandstone cliffs. It is possible to walk from Rangitoto Island to Motutapu Island via a causeway.

Motuihe Island has a mixture of Waitemata sandstone, with Parnell Grit in the headlands, greywacke at the south, and even a coastal section with flaggy limestone on the west coast. It is also a bird sanctuary, with kiwi, saddleback, dotteral, oyster catcher, heron, and more common birds such as the fantail, tui, and pukeko.

Tiritiri Matangi Island is a rugged island composed of greywacke. It also a bird sanctuary, with rare birds, including saddleback, takahē, parakeet, North Island robin, kōkako, whitehead, little spotted kiwi, stitchbird and brown teal.

Waiheke Island is mostly composed of greywacke. At Stoney Batter, at the eastern end of the island are the remains of a volcano (7-8 Ma), with the remains of a lava flow in the form of large boulders.

Lake Pupuke on the North Shore is the crater lake of one of Auckland’s earliest volcanoes. Water flows underground through cracks in the lava from the lake to Thorne Bay, where it is discharged by natural springs. At the northern end of Takapuna Beach are the remains of a lava flow, that flowed over a forest, preserving moulds of the tree stumps before incinerating them. Further north along the coast is a mould of a large Kauri tree.

Onepoto and Tuff Crater beside the North Shore motorway are examples of explosion craters, that have been breached and are now open to the sea. Onepoto basin has largely been reclaimed and now forms a park, while Tuff Crater hosts a tidal mangrove swamp.

Volcanic cones, such as Mount Eden, One Tree Hill, Mount Albert, Mount Roskill, Mount Hobson, Mount St John, Auckland Domain, Mount Mangere, North Head, Mount Wellington are well worth a visit, even for the view from the top. Most have a large scoria cone and crater(s). They also often have the remains of a Māori pā (fortified village). Te Tokaroa Reef is a lava flow that flows 10 km from MT St John to the Waitemata Harbour, and almost managed to cross the harbour.

Many of the East Coast Bays beaches, such as Long Bay and Campbells Bay are good places to see the Waitemata sandstone and mudstone cliffs, with embedded Parnell Grit. Shakespear Park, at the end of Whangaparaoa Peninsula is also a good place to visit. Large blocks of basalt rock have been moved from the Waitakere Ranges to the coast just beyond Army Bay. Further north is Waiwera, with more Waitemata sandstone cliffs and Parnell Grit, and also commercial hot pools, suitable for children. The next beach over, Wenderholm Regional Park is well worth a visit and a good place for a picnic.

The Waitakere Ranges are interesting. Streams often flow down narrow gorges surrounded by conglomerate rocks formed from debris from the Waitakere volcano. The Piha Gorge, Pararaha Gorge and Karamatura Valley are good examples.

Maori Bay, just south of Muriwai, has good examples of pillow lava. It is also the home of a gannet colony.

Te Henga Beach has large sand dunes behind it, and two lakes behind the same dunes. This area has been used to make several TV series, including “Xena: Warrior Princess”. On the way to the beach, it is worthwhile visiting the Auckland City Walk, to see the native bush, including large kauri trees. The Waitakere River swamp is also interesting.

Piha Beach is Auckland’s most famous surf beach. The area to the south has blowholes, that the sea surges through. Whites Beach, to the north of Piha is also interesting. Further south is Mercer Bay, which has a headland, with an enormous hole that has eroded up a jointed lava dike. Still further south are Karekare Beach and Whatipu Beach, backed by steep cliffs. Sand dunes are accumulating along the shore at an amazing rate, and the beach has grown almost two kilometres wider in the last 100 years. Lakes are developing behind the dunes. All the beaches have black iron sand, that can be extracted by using a magnet.

Awhitu Peninsula, south of the Manukau Harbour, is essentially composed of consolidated sand, more than 100 m high. The cliffs are rapidly eroding, and preserved tree stumps and blocks of peat in the cliffs fall down to the beach. It is best to visit places like Hamilton’s Gap at low tide.

The Hunua Ranges are a good example of greywacke rock. A visit to one of the dams used to supply Auckland with water is worthwhile. Raukura Point, near Kawakawa Bay is a good place to see chert. Regional parks such as Tawhitokino and Tapapakanga are good places to see greywacke boulder beaches. Further south is Miranda Hot Pools, for a relaxing swim.

The route out to Waikato Heads is interesting. It gives good examples of the volcanoes of the South Auckland Volcanic Field, which have eroded sufficiently to make an excellent soil for growing vegetables. Closer to the river mouth, the geology changes to Murihiku Terrane greywacke. A walk south from the beach gives good access to the greywacke. Travelling south from Waikato Heads on unsealed roads takes you through country roads, among cliffs composed of Te Kuiti sandstone and limestone, and finally out to the Waikato Plains at Te Kauwhata and State Highway 1.

Maps

Geological maps of New Zealand can be obtained from the New Zealand Institute of Geological and Nuclear Science (GNS Science), a New Zealand Government Research Institute. [3]

GNS provides a free Map of New Zealand's Geological Foundations.[4]

The main maps are the 1 : 250 000 QMap series, now completed as a series of 21 maps and booklets. Low resolution versions of these maps (without the associated booklet) can be downloaded (for PCs only) from the GNS site for free.[5] The map for the Auckland Area was published in 2002.[6]

There is a 1 : 50 000 map of the Auckland Urban Area, published in 1992, but not downloadable[7] that is worth looking at, and there are also maps of the Waitakere Ranges and Helensville-Whangaparaoa areas published in the 1980s.

See also

References

  1. ↑ Bruce Hayward, Bernhard Spörli and Mike Isaac (2002). Field Trip 1: Northland Allochthon emplacement, South Whangarei Harbour. Field trip guides, GSNZ Annual Conference “Northland 2002”, Geological Society of NZ Miscellaneous Publication 112B, pp 3-10. ISBN 0-908678-90-8.
  2. ↑ Volcanoes of Auckland:the essential guide. 2011, Auckland University Press, by Hayward,B.W., Murdoch, G., Maitland, G.
  3. ↑ New Zealand Institute of Geological and Nuclear Sciences (GNS Science) - a New Zealand government Crown Research Institute.
  4. ↑ GNS Map of New Zealand's Geological Foundations
  5. ↑ GNS New Zealand Geological Maps.
  6. ↑ Geology of the Auckland Area, Edbrooke, S.W., GNS Science, 2002. (1 : 250 000 map).
  7. ↑ Geology of the Auckland Urban Area, Kermode, L., GNS Science, 1992. (1 : 50 000 map of the Auckland Urban Area)

Further reading