Distribution of contourite drifts on convergent margins: Examples from the Hikurangi subduction margin of New Zealand

Contourite drift systems form a significant component of the marine clastic sedimentary record. Although contourites form in all tectonic settings, few studies have described their development along convergent margins; such characterization is needed to underpin oceanographic and palaeoenvironmental studies in active settings. This study is the first to document contourite drift development along the Hikurangi subduction margin of New Zealand. Integration of bathymetric, seismic and well data enables five classes of drift to be recognized around the subduction wedge, occurring in three principal associations: (i) an upper slope drift association of giant elongate mounded (ca150 km long, 50 km wide and up to 1100 m thick) and plastered drifts (ca300 km long, 8 km wide and <600 m thick), which occurs upon and inboard of a major intrabasinal thrust-cored high, whose long axis parallels the coast; shallow bottom currents disperse sub-parallel to this axis; (ii) a spatiotemporally discontinuous association of confined and mounded hybrid drifts (ca500 m long, <2 km wide and up to 500 m thick) that occurs along the mid-to-outer slope domain of the wedge, recording the interaction of along-slope and downslope currents within trench-slope basins; and (iii) a trench fill assemblage that implies the passage of abyssal bottom currents across a 40 km reach of the trench-axial Hikurangi Channel-levee, with associated modification of the channel form and of overbank sediment waves. The fundamental presence of contourites along this margin appears to depend on the orientation and strength of oceanographic bottom currents. However, drift type and evolution vary depending on the slope gradient and the presence of irregular seafloor topography created by tectonic structures. The documented drifts are generally smaller, less continuous, and develop more intermittently than similar styles of drifts documented on passive margins; this mode of occurrence may be characteristic of contourite development on convergent margins.

Automated summary

This study is the first to document contourite drift development along the Hikurangi subduction margin of New Zealand. Five classes of drift are recognized, occurring in three principal associations, indicating that the presence of contourites depends on the orientation and strength of oceanographic bottom currents.