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List of rock formations of New Zealand

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This is a list of rock formations in New Zealand based on their aesthetic and cultural importance. New Zealand's geomorphology is formed through an interaction between uplift, erosion and the underlying rock type. Most of the notable examples listed here are formed by selective erosion, for example waves and rivers can more easily erode sandstone than basalt and can also exploit joints or faults in the rock-mass.[1] Some rocks like limestone (Waitomo Caves) and marble (Takaka Hill) can also be dissolved in water which forms a distinctive karst geomorphology. Notable rock formations are also formed through constructive processes such as geothermal and volcanic deposits, and sedimentary deposition.

North Island formations

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Photo Formation Region Type Summary Location
 
 Cape Kidnappers Hawke's Bay Wave erosion, sea stack 39°38′51″S 177°05′12″E / 39.647473°S 177.086699°E / -39.647473; 177.086699
 
 Castle Craig Rock Waikato Terrestrial erosion 38°15′35″S 174°49′15″E / 38.25972°S 174.82083°E / -38.25972; 174.82083
 
 Castlepoint Wellington, Wairarapa Wave erosion 40°53′55″S 176°13′14″E / 40.89861°S 176.22056°E / -40.89861; 176.22056
 
 Cathedral Cove Waikato, Coromandel Peninsula Wave erosion, cave, sea stack 36°49′42″S 175°47′24″E / 36.82833°S 175.79000°E / -36.82833; 175.79000
 
 The Dome of Saint Paul Northland, Whangaroa Terrestrial erosion, igneous rock 35°03′03″S 173°44′59″E / 35.050731°S 173.749623°E / -35.050731; 173.749623
 
 Hole in the Rock Northland, Piercy Island Wave erosion, Natural arch Limestone island with a natural arch. Significant tourist attraction. 35°09′56″S 174°20′21″E / 35.165437°S 174.339061°E / -35.165437; 174.339061
 
 Horeke basalts, Wairere Boulders Northland Terrestrial erosion, igneous rock Lava flow broken up as lower strata removed by erosion. Notable corrugation on basalt boulders.[2] 35°22′29″S 173°35′47″E / 35.374687°S 173.596301°E / -35.374687; 173.596301
 
 Kupe's Sail Wellington, Wairarapa, Palliser Bay A dipping bed of slightly more resistant rock protruding above weaker rock. 41°36′16″N 175°15′58″E / 41.60448°N 175.26616°E / 41.60448; 175.26616
 
 Koutu Boulders Northland Wave erosion 35°27′29″S 173°24′53″E / 35.458139°S 173.414767°E / -35.458139; 173.414767
 
 Lion Rock Auckland, Piha Wave erosion, sea stack Prominent islet with shear cliffs of volcanic conglomerate 36°57′13″S 174°27′57″E / 36.953685°S 174.465880°E / -36.953685; 174.465880
 
 Mangapohue Natural Bridge Waikato Terrestrial erosion, karst 38°15′40″S 174°53′57″E / 38.261043°S 174.899301°E / -38.261043; 174.899301
 
 Natural Vase [citation needed] Wave erosion
 
 Orakei Korako (including Golden Fleece Terrace and Rainbow Terrace) Bay of Plenty Geothermal Geothermal terraces formed by minerals precipitating as the water cools. 38°28′25″S 176°08′55″E / 38.47361°S 176.14861°E / -38.47361; 176.14861
 
 Pink and White Terraces Bay of Plenty, Mount Tarawera Geothermal Significant geothermal terraces formed by minerals precipitating as the water cools.These terraces were thought destroyed by the 1886 eruption of Mount Tarawera, however they may have just been buried.[3] 38°15′40″S 176°25′50″E / 38.26111°S 176.43056°E / -38.26111; 176.43056
 
 The Pinnacles Waikato, Coromandel Peninsula Terrestrial erosion, volcanic rock Andesite lava spires preserved when the weaker neighbouring pyroclastic rocks were eroded.[4] 37°02′36″S 175°43′34″E / 37.043223°S 175.726249°E / -37.043223; 175.726249
 
 Pinnacle Ridge and Cathedral Rocks Wanganui-Manawatu, Mount Ruapehu Terrestrial erosion, volcanic rock Rock spires of andesite near summit of Mount Ruapehu. 39°14′30″S 175°34′00″E / 39.24167°S 175.56667°E / -39.24167; 175.56667
 
 Poor Knights Islands Northland Wave erosion, natural arch 35°30′S 174°45′E / 35.500°S 174.750°E / -35.500; 174.750
 
 Putangirua Pinnacles Wellington, Wairarapa Terrestrial erosion, sedimentary rock 41°27′05″S 175°13′20″E / 41.45139°S 175.22222°E / -41.45139; 175.22222
Te Kaukau Point Wellington, Wairarapa Wave erosion 41°34′20″S 175°25′50″E / 41.57222°S 175.43056°E / -41.57222; 175.43056
Three Sisters and Elephant Rock[5] Taranaki Wave erosion, sea stacks and natural arch Notable for their well documented partial destruction from wave erosion. 38°49′11″S 174°34′51″E / 38.819608°S 174.580815°E / -38.819608; 174.580815
 
 Waimangu Volcanic Rift Valley (including Cathedral Rocks and Warbrick Terrace) Bay of Plenty Geothermal 38°17′10″S 176°23′15″E / 38.28611°S 176.38750°E / -38.28611; 176.38750
 
 Waro Limestone Scenic Reserve Northland, Hikurangi Terrestrial erosion, sedimentary rock 35°35′15″S 174°17′10″E / 35.58750°S 174.28611°E / -35.58750; 174.28611
 
 Young Nick's Head Gisborne Wave erosion 38°45′25″S 177°57′50″E / 38.75694°S 177.96389°E / -38.75694; 177.96389

South Island formations

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Photo Formation Region Type Summary Location
 
 Blackhead Otago, Dunedin Wave erosion, volcanic rock and sea stacks Rock spires with basaltic columnar jointing 45°55′50″S 170°26′00″E / 45.93056°S 170.43333°E / -45.93056; 170.43333
 
 Boulder Bank Nelson Wave erosion and deposition 41°14′S 173°18′E / 41.233°S 173.300°E / -41.233; 173.300
 
 Castle Hill Canterbury Terrestrial erosion, sedimentary rock 43°13′45″S 171°43′00″E / 43.22917°S 171.71667°E / -43.22917; 171.71667
 
 Cathedral Caves Otago, The Catlins Wave erosion, cave 46°36′30″S 169°22′50″E / 46.60833°S 169.38056°E / -46.60833; 169.38056
 
 Cook's Head Rock Otago Wave erosion 46°12′05″S 170°04′50″E / 46.20139°S 170.08056°E / -46.20139; 170.08056
 
 Curio Bay Southland, The Catlins Wave erosion Petrified forest[2] 46°39′45″S 169°05′55″E / 46.66250°S 169.09861°E / -46.66250; 169.09861
 
 Elephant Rocks Otago, Waitaki Valley Terrestrial erosion, sedimentary rock 44°53′35″S 170°39′20″E / 44.89306°S 170.65556°E / -44.89306; 170.65556
 
 Farewell Spit Tasman Wave erosion and deposition 40°31′S 172°52′E / 40.517°S 172.867°E / -40.517; 172.867
 
 Huriawa Peninsula Otago, Karitane Wave erosion, natural arch and sea stacks 45°38′30″S 170°40′00″E / 45.64167°S 170.66667°E / -45.64167; 170.66667
 
 Kaitorete Spit Canterbury Wave erosion and deposition 43°50′S 172°33′E / 43.833°S 172.550°E / -43.833; 172.550
 
 Knights Point West Coast Wave erosion, sea stacks Cliff and sea stacks formed by combination of uplift on the Alpine Fault and high erosion.[6] 43°42′45″S 169°13′30″E / 43.71250°S 169.22500°E / -43.71250; 169.22500
Lion's Head Rock Otago, Sandfly Bay Wave erosion, sea stacks 45°54′18″S 170°39′04″E / 45.90500°S 170.65111°E / -45.90500; 170.65111
 
 Lovers Leap and The Chasm[7] Otago, Sandymount Wave erosion, natural arch 45°53′35″S 170°40′44″E / 45.89306°S 170.67889°E / -45.89306; 170.67889
 
 Moeraki Boulders Otago Wave erosion Strong calcite concretions eroded out of a weak marine mudstone. Boulders also present in the cliff face and nearby streams.[2] 45°20′55″S 170°49′40″E / 45.34861°S 170.82778°E / -45.34861; 170.82778
 
 Nevis Bluff Otago, Kawarau Valley Seismic uplift, river erosion Steep mica schist cliff face. 45°02′15″S 168°59′50″E / 45.03750°S 168.99722°E / -45.03750; 168.99722
 
 Nugget Point Otago, The Catlins Wave erosion, sea stacks Several sea stacks at the end of a prominent headland. The near vertical sandstone bedding creating steep planar cliffs. 46°26′50″S 169°48′55″E / 46.44722°S 169.81528°E / -46.44722; 169.81528
The Obelisk (The Old Man; Kopuwai)[8] Otago, Old Man Range / Kopuwai Freeze thaw weathering 45°20′31″S 169°12′36″E / 45.34194°S 169.21000°E / -45.34194; 169.21000
 
 The Old Man of the Buller West Coast, Buller River 41°57′00″S 172°17′50″E / 41.95000°S 172.29722°E / -41.95000; 172.29722
 
 Omarama Clay Cliffs Otago, Ahuriri Valley Glacial erosion 44°29′20″S 169°52′00″E / 44.48889°S 169.86667°E / -44.48889; 169.86667
 
 Ōnawe Peninsula Canterbury, Banks Peninsula Wave erosion 43°46′30″S 172°55′30″E / 43.77500°S 172.92500°E / -43.77500; 172.92500
 
 Oparara Basin Arches West Coast Terrestrial erosion, natural arch Ground water erosion along the boundary of the basement granite and overlying limestone has formed caves and archers. 41°08′45″S 172°11′15″E / 41.14583°S 172.18750°E / -41.14583; 172.18750
 
 The Organ Pipes Otago, Dunedin Terrestrial erosion, volcanic rock Rock spire with basaltic columnar jointing 45°48′30″S 170°34′00″E / 45.80833°S 170.56667°E / -45.80833; 170.56667
 
 Pancake Rocks West Coast, Punakaiki Wave erosion, natural arch A coastal karst geomorphology. The apparent bedding within the limestone may be due to pressure solution of calcite during burial.[2] 42°06′50″S 171°19′35″E / 42.11389°S 171.32639°E / -42.11389; 171.32639
 
 The Pyramids Otago, Dunedin Wave erosion, seas stack 45°49′25″S 170°43′15″E / 45.82361°S 170.72083°E / -45.82361; 170.72083
 
 Rapanui (Shag Rock) Canterbury, Christchurch Wave erosion, Sea Stack Sea stack partially destroyed in the February 2011 Christchurch earthquake. 43°33′50″S 172°45′00″E / 43.56389°S 172.75000°E / -43.56389; 172.75000
 
 Split Apple Rock Tasman Wave erosion, igneous rock A spheroidal granite block divided on a joint.[9] 41°01′05″S 173°01′15″E / 41.01806°S 173.02083°E / -41.01806; 173.02083
 
 Te Anau glacial erratic Southland, Te Anau Glacial deposition A Geological Reserve. During a past glacial advance this boulder was carried c. 50 km from the Fiordland mountains.[10] 45°31′28″S 167°48′37″E / 45.52444°S 167.81028°E / -45.52444; 167.81028
 
 Truman Track[11] West Coast, Punakaiki Wave erosion Sea cliffs in sandstone and mudstone with a raised shore platform. 42°05′31″S 171°20′20″E / 42.09194°S 171.33889°E / -42.09194; 171.33889
 
 Tunnel Beach Otago, Dunedin Wave erosion, Natural arch Sandstone sea cliffs and natural bridge, with man made tunnel. 45°55′15″S 170°27′30″E / 45.92083°S 170.45833°E / -45.92083; 170.45833
 
 Wharariki Beach Tasman Wave erosion, natural arch 40°30′10″S 172°40′43″E / 40.50278°S 172.67861°E / -40.50278; 172.67861

Formations elsewhere

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Photo Formation Region Type Summary Location
Gog and Magog Stewart Island / Rakiura Volcanic plugs 47°11′45″S 167°33′45″E / 47.19583°S 167.56250°E / -47.19583; 167.56250
Ohira Bay basalt columns Chatham Island Terrestrial erosion, volcanic rock 43°48′22″S 176°38′55″W / 43.80611°S 176.64861°W / -43.80611; -176.64861

Maps

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Young Nick's Head
 
Cathedral Cove
 
Dome of Saint Paul
 
Waro Limestone Reserve
 
Putangirua Pinnacles
 
Cape Kidnappers
 
Pink and White Terraces
 
Lion Rock
 
Wairere Boulders
 
Hole in the Rock
 
Koutu Boulders
 
Kupe's Sail
 
Orakei Korako
 
Pinnacle Ridge
 
Castle Craig Rock & Mangapohue Natural Bridge
 
Te Kaukau Point
 
Waimangu Valley
 
The Pinnacles
 
Three Sisters and Elephant Rock
 
Castlepoint
 
Poor Knights Islands
 
 
Blackhead & Tunnel Beach
 
Kaitorete Spit
 
Old Man of the Buller
 
Huriawa Pen.
 
Split Apple Rock
 
Oparara River Arches
 
Rapanui Rock
 
Pancake Rocks & Trueman Track
 
Boulder Bank
 
Moeraki Boulders
 
Pyramids & Lovers Leap
 
Organ Pipes
 
Onawe Pen.
 
Nugget Pt.
 
Omarama Clay Cliffs
 
Cook's Head
 
Elephant Rocks
 
Curio Bay
 
Cathedral Caves
 
Castle Hill
 
Te Anau glacial erratic
 
Wharariki Beach
 
Farewell Spit
 
Knights Point
 
Obelisk
 
Gog and Magog

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Cotton, Charles Andrew (1949). Geomorphology: an introduction to the study of landforms. Wiley.
  2. ^ a b c d Thornton, Jocelyn (2009). The Field Guide to New Zealand Geology: An Introduction to Rocks, Minerals and Fossils. Penguin. ISBN 9780143202592.
  3. ^ Bunn and Nolden, Rex and Sascha (December 2016). "Te Tarata and Te Otukapuarangi: Reverse engineering Hochstetter's Lake Rotomahana Survey to map the Pink and White Terrace locations". Journal of New Zealand Studies. NS23: 37–53.
  4. ^ William), Hayward, Bruce W. (Bruce (1971). The geology and eruptive history of the Table Mountain region, Coromandel Peninsula (Thesis).{{cite thesis}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  5. ^ "Memory is all that's left of Elephant Rock, now trunk-less". Stuff. Retrieved 21 November 2018.
  6. ^ Cooper, Alan F.; Kostro, Fabian (2006). "A tectonically uplifted marine shoreline deposit, Knights Point, Westland, New Zealand". New Zealand Journal of Geology and Geophysics. 49 (2): 203–216. doi:10.1080/00288306.2006.9515160. ISSN 0028-8306. S2CID 128895227.
  7. ^ "Hidden Otago". hiddenotago.co.nz. Retrieved 21 November 2018.
  8. ^ "History and culture". www.doc.govt.nz. Retrieved 12 December 2018.
  9. ^ "Split Apple Rock: Sitting pretty just off..." The Earth Story. Retrieved 21 November 2018.
  10. ^ Hayward, Bruce; Hayward, Bruce; Taonga, New Zealand Ministry for Culture and Heritage Te Manatu. "Glacial erratic at Te Anau". Retrieved 19 November 2018.
  11. ^ Wilson, Kerry-Jayne (2013). West Coast Walking: A Naturalist's Guide. Canterbury University Press. ISBN 9781927145425.
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