May 13, 2019

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Camille Collett Coauthors Paper on Oblique Deformation Within New Zealand's Kaikōura Ranges and Marlborough Fault System for the Journal Tectonics

Camille Collett (California) coauthored a paper entitled "The Timing and Style of Oblique Deformation Within New Zealand's Kaikōura Ranges and Marlborough Fault System Based on Low‐Temperature Thermochronology" published in the journal Tectonics on March 5, 2019.

Camille is a Staff Professional based in California focused on environmental consulting and remediation. After earning her Master's Degree in Tectonic Geomorphology, she was awarded the position of Yosemite National Park Guest Scientist, where she worked closely with park scientists on collaborative projects. Camille assists Geosyntec clients using her skills with ArcGIS, data analysis, science, and geological mapping.

Camille's coauthors were A. R. Duvall (Department of Earth and Space Sciences, University of Washington), R. M. Flowers (Department of Geological Sciences, University of Colorado), G. E. Tucker (Department of Geological Sciences, University of Colorado, and Cooperative Institute for Research in Environmental Sciences (CIRES)), and P. Upton (GNS Science, Lower Hutt, New Zealand).     

Tectonics, published by American Geophysical Union, presents original scientific contributions that describe and explain the evolution, structure, and deformation of Earth's lithosphere. Contributions include field, laboratory, petrological, geochemical, geochronological, geophysical, remote-sensing, and modeling studies. Multidisciplinary studies are particularly encouraged. Tectonics publishes studies across the range of geologic time.

American Geophysical Union is a community of Earth and space scientists that collaboratively advances and communicates science and its power to ensure a sustainable future.

Abstract

The ~150‐km‐wide dextral Marlborough Fault System and adjacent Kaikōura Mountains accommodate oblique convergence between the Pacific and Australian plates at the NE end of the South Island, New Zealand. Low‐temperature thermochronology from this region places new limits on the timing and style of Marlborough faulting and mountain building. We sampled rocks for apatite and zircon (U‐Th/He) and apatite fission track dating from a range of elevations spanning ~2 km within the Kaikōura Ranges, which stand high above the active Marlborough dextral faults. The data reveal Miocene cooling localized to hanging wall rocks, first along the Clarence Fault in the Inland Kaikōura Range, then along the Jordan Thrust in the Seaward Kaikōura Range, followed by widespread, rapid cooling reflected in all samples across the study area starting at ~5 Ma. Our results suggest that topographic relief in this region predates the onset of dextral faulting and that portions of the Marlborough Faults were once thrust faults that coincided with the early development of the transpressive plate boundary. We relate Pliocene to present rapid exhumation across the field site, including at low‐elevation sample sites in Marlborough Fault foot walls, to seaward translation and overthrusting of crust atop the downgoing slab by dextral Marlborough Fault motion. Our results show that spatial and temporal patterns in exhumation reflect a complex and evolving deformation field in the Marlborough Fault System over the past ~25 million years of Kaikōura orogeny.

More Information

Learn more about the article: https://doi.org/10.1029/2018TC005268
Learn more about Tectonics at https://agupubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/19449194
For consultation regarding Low-Temperature Thermochronology, contact Camille Collett at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Learn more about Camille: https://www.linkedin.com/in/camille-collett-29818350/