The Berridale Wrench fault: A major structure in the Snowy Mountains of New South Wales

Abstract

A northwest‐trending, sinistral wrench fault having a horizontal component of movement of approximately seven miles, transects the Berridale Batholith of the Snowy Mountains of New South Wales. The displacement has been determined by matching the displaced segments of two granite intrusions and their associated contact aureoles. The main horizontal movement is considered to have occurred in Early to Middle Devonian times but there is evidence of minor normal movement during the Tertiary. Seismic activity in the region around Berridale indicates possible recent movement. It is suggested that the fault may extend northwest of Berridale to join the Gundagai‐Tumut serpentinite belt near Tumut Pond, and that the southeasterly extension may meet the coast near Disaster Bay.