The Amazing Geology and Scenery of New Zealand

February 4^th (Tuesday), 6 p.m., Teton Co. Library Auditorium – Open to Public. Presentation: “The Amazing Geology and Scenery of New Zealand”, Presented by Mike Adler, Geologists of Jackson Hole

The focus of the talk is the Geologists of Jackson Hole (GJH) field trip in March 2019 where GJH members enjoyed having three geology professors from the Otago University as guides. The talk will also provide a virtual tour of New Zealand’s dramatic scenery and geology. The talk will discuss the geologic origins of New Zealand some 200 million years ago as part of a broader continental shield made up of Antarctica and Australia, forming part of super continent Gondwana. However, the New Zealand we now know only emerges from the sea 25 million years ago as a result of the collision of the Pacific and Australian plates, and it continues to evolve today as its active faults and volcanoes well demonstrate. The most dramatic geological feature in New Zealand is the Alpine Fault which runs the entire length of the Southern Island and is caused by the plate collision.  The manifestation of the continued  movement along this fault is the  magnificent 12,000’ Southern Alps and the significant threat of massive earthquakes. The talk will also feature the spectacular scenery of  New Zealand including the Southern Alps, the dramatic fjords of the southwest coast, and the varied coast line of the South Island.  Video