Some tephra deposits in the South-West Waikato area, North Island, New Zealand

Abstract

The distribution of tephras in the south-west Waikato area is mapped using sections and correlation lines. A new member of the Kauroa Ash Formation, the Oparau Tephra, is defined. Within the Hamilton Ash Formation, the Huntly and Te Uku Variants of the Ohinewai Ash Member are regarded as two separate tephras. Part of the late Quaternary tephra sequence from the Okataina and Taupo Volcanic Centres, including the Taupo Pumice Formation, Oruanui Formation, and Rotoehu Ash, is traced to the west coast of the North Island.