At our May meeting, Prof Chris Hollis introduced us to the geology of northern Wairarapa, highlighting a creative ‘paint by numbers’ approach he developed to make geological mapping easier for students and amateurs to understand.
The Wairarapa region is on the boundary of the overriding Australian and the subducting Pacific tectonic plates. It is characterised by the 150–200-million-year-old Remutaka and Tararua greywacke ranges in the west, uplifted sedimentary coastal basins in the valley, and hill country to the east that is made of younger marine rocks.
Supplementing the maps were Chris’s descriptions and field photographs. One, of the Wairarapa fault, was particularly graphic. During the 1855 earthquake, some of the affected land was raised by four to six metres and moved sideways by about 17 metres. This is the largest measured single-event dislocation recorded anywhere on the planet.
During the 1855 earthquake, some of the affected land was raised by four to six metres and moved sideways by about 17 metres. This is the largest measured single-event dislocation recorded anywhere on the planet.
Because of the relative movement of the two plates, there is now a network of active fault lines through the Wairarapa, that Chris traced and discussed.
Members were entranced by the presentation and he’s been invited back early next year to discuss the more southern area of Wairarapa in more detail.
The guest speaker at our 24 July meeting is Mike Scott, one of whose claims to fame is having played rugby for Masterton Club and Wairarapa College through all the junior grades, against well-known Greytown lad and later All Black winger, Grant Batty.
“He was dynamite even as a youngster,” said Mike, now retired from a banking career and living with wife Sue, who also has a Wairarapa family history. Mike will talk about his life and love of sailing – not about rugby – and will also feature some of his favourite classical music.
The South Wairarapa Rebus Club meets at 9:45am on the fourth Friday of each month, at the South Wairarapa Working Men’s Club in Greytown. The club prides itself on the quality of its guest speakers. Reviews of previous talks are included in newsletters which can be found on the club’s website at southwairaraparebus.com. Retired people are invited to attend a meeting as a visitor. Introduce yourself at the door from the West Street carpark or contact John Reeve on 021 560 461 for more information.
