Paleoseismic History of New Zealand's Akatore Fault

A paleoseismic study presents findings from the Akatore Fault in Otago, New Zealand, based on trench excavations and geophysical surveys. The research identifies at least three reverse fault rupture events constrained between 13,314 B.C. and 1278 A.D., ending a period of quiescence exceeding 110,000 years. This dataset was published by the Australian Ocean Data Network and was last updated in April 2026.

Use Cases

• Model fault slip rates using the calculated range of 0.3–2.4 mm/yr.
• Analyze earthquake periodicity using the identified recurrence interval range of 670–5110 years.
• Reconstruct paleo-earthquake timing from the constrained date ranges for the antepenultimate, penultimate, and most recent events.
• Assess single-event displacement hazards using the documented 1.6–2.7 m vertical offset.

Strengths

• Constrains at least three distinct paleo-earthquake events with specific date ranges.
• Integrates data from multiple methods including trench logs, GPR profiles, and sediment analysis.
• Provides quantitative parameters like slip rate and recurrence interval for hazard modeling.

Limitations

• The exact number of data rows, sample locations, and raw measurement columns is unknown.
• Event date ranges are broad, spanning centuries, limiting precise chronological analysis.
• Geographic focus is limited to a single fault system in Otago, New Zealand.

Provenance

Source

Australian Ocean Data Network

Collection Method

Paleoseismic study involving trench excavations, ground-penetrating radar (GPR) profiles, and sediment analyses.

Time Range

Events constrained between 13,314 B.C. and 1278 A.D.; study covers a period of quiescence >110,000 years.

Freshness

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Geography

Akatore Fault, Otago region, New Zealand.