The geology of the Mauriceville area

Abstract

Six weeks were spent in March and April of 1960 mapping the Upper Tertiary and Mesozoic sediments of the Mauriceville area. The area mapped covers 49 square miles and is thirteen miles north of Masterton in the Wairarapa, North Island, New Zealand. Mapping was done on field sheets on a scale of four inches to a mile prepared from an aerial mossaic. Aerial photos were of considerable help in determining the structure, particularly for tracing the active faults. Stage boundaries have been plotted from micropaleontological evidence (see appendix by P. Vella) and the mineralogy and grain size of the sediments determined. Block faulted Upper Miocene and Pliocene marine and Upper Miocene non marine sediments extend over most of the area. Mesozoic basement outcrops at two localities associated with major faults. Late glacial and younger alluvium floors the valleys of the area. The study was carried out as part of the requirements for the degree of M.Sc. With honours at the Victoria University of Wellington.