Distribution of surficial sediments in the ocean around New Zealand/Aotearoa. Part B: continental shelf Journal Paper
- Author
- Helen Bostock, Chris Jenkins, Kevin Mackay, Lionel Carter, Scott Nodder, Alan Orpin, Arne Pallentin, Richard Wysoczanski
- Year
- 2019
- Journal / Source
- New Zealand Journal of Geology and Geophysics
- Publisher / Organisation
- Taylor & Francis
- Volume
- 62
- Number
- 1
- Pages
- 24-45
- Keywords
- Sediment, continental shelf, New Zealand, grainsize, carbonate, oceanography
- Summary
- This paper provides new maps of the surficial sediment distribution on the continental shelf (0∼150 m water depth) of New Zealand based on a new database – nzSEABED. The maps of percent mud, sand, gravel and carbonate, are compared with previous research to provide a comprehensive update of the surficial sediment distributions on the continental shelf, together with a review of the main environmental (oceanographic and climatic), geomorphological and geological processes and human activities that have influenced sediment deposition. Continental shelves are dynamic regions that are in a constant state of flux from floods, storms, tides, waves, earthquakes and volcanic activity. While some of these events may be captured by individual samples, the compilation of >23,000 samples collected and analysed over 60 years provides a long-term average distribution of sediments on the continental shelf that can inform future research and coastal management.