Repeated flood events and fossil forests at Curio Bay (Middle Jurassic), New Zealand

• Published in: Sedimentary Geology
• Main Author: Pole, Mike
• Other Authors: K.A.W. Crook, A.D. Miall, B.W. Sellwood
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier 2001
• Subjects: Geology; Fluvial Sedimentology; Fossil Forest; Jurassic; New Zealand; Murihiku; Alexander-island; Burdekin River; Deposits; Australia; Antarctica; Queensland; Sandstone; Climates; Region; 260104 Sedimentology; C1; 780104 Earth sciences; Alexander Island; Antarc*
• Online Access: https://espace.library.uq.edu.au/view/UQ:60322

During the Middle Jurassic, the regional environment of Curio Bay, southeast South Island, New Zealand, was a fluvial plain marginal to volcanic uplands. Intermittent flashy, poorly-confined flood events buried successive conifer forests. With the termination of each flood, soils developed and vegetation was reestablished. In most cases, this developed into coniferous forest. In approximately 40 m of vertical section, 10 fossil forest horizons can be distinguished, highlighting a type of fluvial architecture which is poorly documented. Flood-basin material is minimal, but a short-Lived floodbasin lake is inferred to have developed within the interval of study. Paleocurrent indicators suggest enclosure of the basin on more than one side. Sedimentation style suggests a relatively dry (less than humid but not arid) climate with seasonal rainfall. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.