Getting up close to the Alpine Fault in New Zealand

The best place to see a close-up view of New Zealand's Alpine Fault, which is a plate boundary fault. In this video I actually found part of the slip surface (slickensides) on the top of the Australian Plate! The Alpine Fault is estimated that it has a 75% chance of producing a major earthquake in the next 50 years.
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[@mozismobile]

"we don't want the alpine fault to rupture right now, we'd be toast".... no, no, you'd become part of the geological record. Think positive!

[@OutThereLearning]

haha - good point - there is always an upside!

[@sonyavincent7450]

Here's the top layer, and here's the bottom layer, and here is a really good geologist guy who had the misfortune to get squashed in between.......

[@struanmockford3264]

Excellent stuff. Hard to believe the plate boundary is so fine a line as it where. Amazing.

[@OutThereLearning]

Quite so, really amazing

[@MrMesospheric]

If I'd had someone like this to teach geology when I was younger, I would have understood things so much better and maybe followed that path. Instead, we had rubbish people who couldn't drag themselves out of obscure language and the assumption everyone understood it. Absolutely brilliant. Thanks!

[@OutThereLearning]

Thank you very much!

[@andyharpist2938]

This is true in many other teaching fields. Sometimes I don't think educators actually want a transfer of knowledge.

[@rafaelperalta1676]

@@andyharpist2938 most just want their wages. I guess nothing's wrong with that, but passionate people teaching others would effectively make the world a better place.

[@benedict6897]

Your explanation on how plate movement is not constant was a very interesting and in hindsight, very obvious fact I appreciated

[@OutThereLearning]

Cheers

[@jackieking1522]

At 9.25, sitting alone at midnight, I just burst out " Oh, wow!".... that is extraordinary... I'm feeling privileged to be watching the video. Thank you.

[@OutThereLearning]

That's great :-)

[@complimentary_voucher]

That crack 😫 I know it's just a visual thing but somehow it is very traumatic for a South Islander. Thanks!

[@OutThereLearning]

I hear you!

[@grendel_nz]

Brilliant :) thank you for risking yourselves and taking us to places we will never get access to. 👍🏻

[@OutThereLearning]

Our pleasure! :-)

[@sixthsenseamelia4695]

🥝🙋🏻‍♀️ Hi!

[@AustraliaFootball]

Best youtuber in NZ. Keep these videos going!

[@OutThereLearning]

Haha - thanks!

[@sixthsenseamelia4695]

I second this comment! 👍

[@salsmith1323]

I've been fortunate to travel to several areas of New Zealand and have always been interested in its geology and tectonics. Thanks for a really clear explanation of this site.

[@OutThereLearning]

Thanks - appreciate your comment

[@allybally2368]

This is such a great video. Thank you so much. Its so nice to have a guide to what we can see in NZ. I’ve always wanted to study geoscience.

[@OutThereLearning]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@colinperry3464]

I absolutely endorse that comment. Very well done and most educational.

[@sixthsenseamelia4695]

I'd absolutely do happiness cartwheels if you'd be able to show us how to visually identify the plate boundaries and faults on the East Coast North Island. I'm SO curious about knowing how to do that! Thank you everyone for this amazing video archive. The only fault (punny) I can identify by myself ..... Is there's not enough of these fantastic videos 😂

[@OutThereLearning]

Thanks for your great enthusiasm. The plate boundary under the North Island east coast is not visible as the surface expression of it is under the ocean off the coast. Also good quality fault traces or outcrops of other faults are a bit hard to find, except near the ranges. Never say never though, we can have a think.

[@sixthsenseamelia4695]

​@@OutThereLearning There's so many geological features in this region, I'm at abit of a loss as to know exactly what I'm looking at & the processes involved! There's information about the Wairarapa fault & Hikurangi subduction zone. However there's much more going on between the coastline and the Ruahine ranges. Epicentres & faults (Top end of Kaikoura fault?) Limestone, tomos, clay, fossils, jagged escarpments, gas & oil seeps, copper mines, iron concretions, ash layers from eruptions, salt water thermal springs. 💫 Omgosh - it all makes my head spin. But I totally love that, it's the BEST puzzle to be investigated. 😊

[@skog44]

Very interesting but can't get my head around why the lighter Australian plate is under the heavier Pacific plate. I thought is should be the other way around? Also, why are rocks that have been 35k under the Earth's surface so soft? I thought pressure and heat would have baked them as hard as granite? Fascinating none the less and thank you for your work.

[@obs2746]

New Zealand is an amazingly beautiful country. I remember it being called “the shaky isles”. The geothermal central north island is also worth visiting

[@OutThereLearning]

Yes, there are so many interesting parts to the country!

[@MarsFKA]

How amazing to see that join, and the actual rub marks on the rocks. The age of the Pacific plate rocks is daunting, but the really daunting part of geology for me is the names of all the different types of rocks. So many names! I could never make it as a geologist, with all those names to remember - I can't even remember my grandchildrens' birthdays. That's what my wife is for. One day, several years ago, my wife and I did the run to Greymouth on the TranzAlpine train and when we had emerged from Otira Tunnel and out on to the open land, the comments guy on the microphone told us that we had left the Pacific plate and were now on the Australian plate so, when we reached Greymouth, please have our passports ready.

[@OutThereLearning]

Thanks for sharing your interest!

[@michaelprice3040]

Warms my heart to see such crystal clear water. God i love New Zealand.

[@OutThereLearning]

:-)

[@georgiewalker1069]

Thanks for sharing this. After watching Lord of the Rings I am amazed at New Zealand’s beauty. Best regards to you from a very interested viewer in South Africa

[@OutThereLearning]

Thanks for your interest!

[@roorapatuwairua3568]

Thank you so much for sharing ☺️ your knowledge of earth I definitely did learn something 😊✨ with the unusual weather happening in other countries it's wonderful to have someone like you to share what's happening in ours and why... I look forward to seeing your next video ✨😊✨

[@OutThereLearning]

Thanks for your comment

[@heatherbovy8993]

Thank you so much for sharing ,absolutely fascinating 😊

[@OutThereLearning]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@heatherbovy8993]

@@OutThereLearning I really did. Thanks again ❤

[@blackpanther6389]

Thanks for linking me to this video with the wider shots! It was trippy and discombobulating to observe the fault line that was like the result of a rock being on top of another rock instead of along the surface of the planet.

[@williamwilliam728]

Marty said it all. I was blown away by the visual evidence of the 2 plates. Where were you during my grade 11 physical geography class? Awesome tutorial and fantastic filming.4 thumbs up 😀

[@OutThereLearning]

Thanks!! 😀

[@sebastianbache8862]

Great tour and clear example for non-professional geologist like myself. What is remarkable from your tour is something as big as these two plates are on earth, it comes down to a slip surface with the finest tiny streaks of a slide surface as evidence. Truly amazing.

[@OutThereLearning]

Thank you - glad you enjoyed the video

[@luzr6613]

Beautiful. In a moment, all i have is a visual of some aesthetically nondescript meeting point between rock types... in the next, with a fragment of information, i'm awestruck. Nothing in the scene changed... nothing there to give me pause... and then one sentence changes everything. I learn about a lot of things, but that moment was uber-cool. Thanks so much - great work.

[@OutThereLearning]

Thank you for your comment. It's a wonderful thing to experience a moment of insight where previously you thought there was 'nothing to see here'

[@luzr6613]

@@OutThereLearning Considering that historic transition from knowing it all, to knowing 'nothing'. Saboteurs like Lyell and Darwin et al have a lot to answer for.

[@kiwidonkeyk1656]

Fascinating, thank you, your best video so far. I found myself holding my breath as you exposed that slip surface.

[@OutThereLearning]

Thanks for your kind comment

[@brendenbarnes2071]

Bloody fantastic. If I have of known about this area when we went over in Christmas of 2019, I would have made it my mission to visit that area.

[@OutThereLearning]

Thanks for the feedback! 😀

[@rotoehu9266]

Amazing and a touch scary - wonder how the coffers at EQC are looking these days…

[@OutThereLearning]

Not my area of knowledge that one!

[@dba750]

Brilliant! Well done

[@OutThereLearning]

Thank you

[@GentlyUsedOreos]

Amazing!!! I lived on top of the San Andreas in Southern California. The "Cajon pass, 15 freeway stretch," & It's crazy to see all the similarities, & differences between both locations. Also to see such a visible line; Stunning!!! Thank you for this content!!!

[@OutThereLearning]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@chrissscottt]

It's now on my bucket list to visit. Thanks.

[@OutThereLearning]

good one!

[@amacuro]

Wow, thank you so much for showing us this unbelievable outcrop! Really breath taking stuff. The implications of the size and energy to create that mountain range should be enough to make any kid want to be a geologist :)

[@OutThereLearning]

Thank you for your enthusiastic feedback!

[@marklong930]

Two Out There Learning vids in one day. That's almost as cool as that hat you're wearing! Thanks for these clear and informative productions. Would love to explore that part of NZ more.

[@OutThereLearning]

Glad you like the hat! 😀

[@rafaelperalta1676]

I'm only seeing the video, but it's already cool as it is. I wonder how much thrill I'd get witnessing such a marvel in person.

[@KiwiShellNZ1]

Just love, love, love you videos! Thank you so much!

[@OutThereLearning]

I'm happy that you like them

[@fleuromeara4924]

Thank you for your interesting field work. It amazes me how you can "read" cliff faces and tell us what happened years ago. To you it all tells a story that you can pass on to us. The drone is a huge asset and gives us the overall view . I look forward to more of your videos.

[@OutThereLearning]

Thanks, that's really nice feedback 😀

[@mrbigdogsmith]

Absolutely amazing! One of the best field geology videos on youtube. Thank you for taking the time to share this excursion, it was fascinating and educational.

[@OutThereLearning]

Thank you for your very kind comment 🙂

[@BoobyTrap8]

This is so interesting, thank you and Marty for exploring and sharing your knowledge.

[@OutThereLearning]

Thanks for watching!

[@sinclairmarcus]

The rocks have been turned to dust shows the huge forces at work. Thanks for upload

[@OutThereLearning]

Thank you!

[@RolfStones]

The green rock gives a nice contrast with the gray gravel. Nice drone shot in the end!

[@OutThereLearning]

Thanks!

[@AllanAlach]

Fascinating.

[@OutThereLearning]

Glad you think so

[@Turitea]

Highly informative and presented in a clear manner for all to understand. Very sobering!

[@OutThereLearning]

Thanks for your comment

[@clivewalker5465]

Amazing , Thank-You . I have visited many Countries , New Zealand is still Number One .

[@OutThereLearning]

Cheers to that!

[@gaius_enceladus]

Great video! Lovely part of the country, the West Coast!

[@OutThereLearning]

Yep!

[@johnjenkins2315]

It just goes to show that we can produce some of the most interesting geological programs anywhere on earth. Very informative.

[@OutThereLearning]

Thank you for your appreciation!

[@jeanettewebley1552]

Fantastic photography , learnt alot .. great information thank you

[@OutThereLearning]

Thanks, that's great!

[@davidpalin1790]

Your UAV sounds like the mother of all mosquitoes

[@OutThereLearning]

Haha true!

[@davecurtis8833]

Really interesting. Cool stuff. It is all rather delicate up close.

[@OutThereLearning]

Thanks! - yes, along the fault the rocks are really mashed up!

[@robmiller1964]

Thanks so much! Very very interesting Rob from Christchurch! I remember our big Earthquakes here......the power is incredible, noise etc seeing a Tidal Wave coming through the ground........It still makes my hair stand up... what hair I have left that is!

[@OutThereLearning]

Thanks for your comment and sharing your experience

[@khent712]

Amazing!, ty.

[@OutThereLearning]

Yep - its an amazing outcrop!

[@kanewilliams1653]

Wonderful video thank you, we need more videos about Geology in NZ!

[@OutThereLearning]

Thanks for your appreciation!

[@swites]

Amazing to see two plates resting on top of each other like that!

[@OutThereLearning]

It is!

[@kathrynflannery2889]

Great video! Thank you.

[@OutThereLearning]

Thanks!

[@mixolydian2010]

Wow that's fantastic, cheers for showing us it.

[@OutThereLearning]

Thanks - glad you liked it!

[@mixolydian2010]

@@OutThereLearning Only seen one fault that i can remember and thats the South Craven Fault (nowhere near the same scale as yours) near Ingleton waterfalls in Yorkshire. Its a wonderful little trail and we saw and touched slickensides , uncomformities etc too. Not been there for years. Would love to come to New Zealand to see the site you visited. Take care.

[@27klickslegend]

great video, impressive drone footage too!

[@OutThereLearning]

Thanks a lot!

[@muzikhed]

Excellent visuals and very interesting explanation of the fault and events. Nice.

[@OutThereLearning]

Thank you!

[@nononsenseBennett]

Fascinating. The drone really helps get a good perspective on the geology.

[@OutThereLearning]

Cheers!

[@debradickson9462]

Thankyou injoyed I look out for things u have talked about .awsom 🌈

[@OutThereLearning]

You are welcome!

[@zed4225]

Fascinating stuff, would love to visit NZ. Thanks for sharing and educating us❤

[@OutThereLearning]

You should!

[@Webpoodle]

Wow. This made my day. Love your vids.

[@OutThereLearning]

Thanks, that's really great 👍

[@ElBantosClips]

Wow, I might have to go have a look there one day, that's pretty cool being able to see the bottom of a tectonic plate like that

[@OutThereLearning]

Yes - its amazing for sure!

[@danhartigan9529]

I could amgine this guy voicing a cricket test match, great voice, great informative video thankyou for sharing you're work!!!

[@OutThereLearning]

Haha, thanks 😊

[@stelley08]

thanks for showing us, very interesting indeed

[@OutThereLearning]

Pleasure!

[@robynhale4959]

What amazing footage this is .... thank you soooo much for making videos and posting them to inform / educate us. really really interesting. 👍👍

[@OutThereLearning]

Thank you for your appreciation!

[@colleennobbs7218]

Thank you for this video……….FASCINATING 🎉

[@OutThereLearning]

Glad you like it!

[@davenelson413]

nice one ... a great revisit to one of my fav sites in NZ .... that was part of my Otago University study field trips. Those days ~ 30 years ago with Prof Richard Norris, Doc Peter Koons, Doc. Tony Reay and others

[@OutThereLearning]

Great!

[@cheriehowie3728]

Wow this is incredible. I was very surprised how smooth the plate boundaries are. When I was 18 I took part in a big walk between Lewis Pass and Arthur's Pass. And three was mentioned we Were close to a fault when we found a natural hot pool. Seemed like three was solid rock. But I believe it was called 'the hope fault' Can you verify this?

[@OutThereLearning]

Yep - you will have crossed the Hope Fault.

[@cheriehowie3728]

@@OutThereLearning Further Wow. I just watched a few more videos today and honestly didn't realize just how terrifically huge the hope fault really is. I am certainly feeling blessed to be so close and yet safe by the fault at that time.

[@doliver6034]

I live and work here in South Island Nz, very interesting vid, ty for sharing 😀

[@OutThereLearning]

Thanks!

[@richardevans6655]

Great Vid beautifully explained and great footage very interesting thanks

[@OutThereLearning]

Very welcome

[@kathrynflannery2889]

Great video! Awe inspiring tectonics

[@OutThereLearning]

Aye!

[@mcmenace4847]

Cheers mate! Great info.

[@OutThereLearning]

Cheers!

[@rosiepack1081]

great video, engaging and informative! I live in North Canterbury, good to know the latest research

[@OutThereLearning]

Thank you!

[@uprightape100]

Thank you so much for this wonderful essay.

[@OutThereLearning]

Thank you for your appreciation!

[@kiwigecko1]

Wonderful thank you.

[@OutThereLearning]

Thanks!

[@TDurden527]

Yo New Zealand . . love you all . . . from America:) Great vid. Subscribed.

[@OutThereLearning]

Thanks! 😀

[@whirlymurley3974]

WOW HOW COOL... im in cromwell,, when i get some time id love to go see this fault..

[@OutThereLearning]

Glad you think so too!

[@lukeduffy2382]

Amazing!

[@karinbos3202]

That was very interesting indeed! Also very nice that thing didn’t rupture when you were there…. 🤭😋🤙

[@OutThereLearning]

I think so too 😀

[@wendygerrish4964]

Wow! Talk about hands on geology.

[@OutThereLearning]

Hands on is the way to go!

[@Excellentness]

That was Awesome thank you

[@OutThereLearning]

Cool! Thanks for the feedback!

[@glenwarrengeology]

This was so fascinating, learnt alot of stuff. Thank you.

[@OutThereLearning]

Great! thanks for saying so

[@colingenge9999]

Showing the map, the cross section and the two planes together would clarify. As it is, it looks like the plates are going the wrong way. Looks like the glaciated portion came from the Australian plate which makes no sense. Please relate the maps, diagrams and actual material so we can track what is what.

[@OutThereLearning]

Thanks for your comment. Yes the glacial deposit has been washed across the fault onto the Australian plate. Fault movements have then pushed the Pacific plate rocks over the top of it. How that makes sense.

[@Abhinay_Limbu]

thanks for the link

[@kiwibob223]

Fantastic. The clear crack must make even you go 🤔

[@OutThereLearning]

Yes, it is an interesting little feature 😀

[@riverAmazonNZ]

extraordinary stuff. Lets hope the next quake isn’t a cataclasite cataclysm. Very disruptive.

[@OutThereLearning]

maybe even catastrophic!

[@glenndouglas.T]

Very interesting thanks.

[@OutThereLearning]

Cheers! Glad you think so

[@andrewoh1663]

Marvellous!

[@OutThereLearning]

Cheers!

[@suthonlimchawalit9257]

I love your video!

[@OutThereLearning]

Thank you, that's great

[@ENZEEVIDS]

great video!

[@OutThereLearning]

Thank you

[@glenndonald7557]

Excellent!

[@OutThereLearning]

Cheers!

[@singhbhai]

Probably you might have to been the first person to go there ever, and that to see literal continental plates

[@OutThereLearning]

Many others have been here, but I think I may have been the first to see that newly eroded part :-)

[@davidpalin1790]

Really interesting

[@OutThereLearning]

Cheers!

[@zw5509]

Is this an Obduction zone? I looked at one of those while exploring the West Coast of Scotland! Alpine Fault - Stay put!

[@OutThereLearning]

Obduction is where oceanic crust gets pushed up over continental crust. Not in this case as it is continental vs continental collision

[@tristanpatterson3843]

Good stuff.

[@OutThereLearning]

Thanks!

[@andrewnorgrove6487]

10:23 That's Amazing , thank you

[@joyleenpoortier7496]

Love this

[@OutThereLearning]

Thanks

[@zephheine9681]

thanks for share..enjoyed 🙂

[@OutThereLearning]

Great - thanks

[@NewZealandRocksDownunder]

I've been enjoying your channel, so informative. Is this location a publically accessible place?

[@OutThereLearning]

Thank you for your appreciation. At present access isn't available for the general public. There is limited access for researchers and university groups

[@cyrilpayn7234]

I walked up the river from the bridge and then turned up Gaunt creek. 2 hour trek in 30 degrees just under a year ago. Walked out via the track to the house. Only visited the newish outcrop.

[@guyincognito.]

@@cyrilpayn7234 Is it accessable by foot without having to get landowner permission?

[@amyrock6228]

That's really interesting

[@OutThereLearning]

Glad you think so!

[@zephheine9681]

so very interesting 💜👌🏻

[@OutThereLearning]

Glad you think so!

[@gregallan2842]

After seeing this what we call a "gully" in my part of Australia we should really call a "gutter".

[@OutThereLearning]

:-)

[@nickruisi5569]

@6:15 - gravely glacial deposits during ice age - could the Boulder Bank be related?

[@dixietenbroeck8717]

Well done! Thanks from California (yet another faulty place. 😉 Hope that didn't crack you up... !)

[@OutThereLearning]

That's OK, it's not your fault 😉

[@andrewbennett1216]

What about the Zealandia plate, is that separate from the Oz plate? Can a single plate have a fault through the middle?

[@OutThereLearning]

Thanks for the question. Zealandia is a (mostly submerged) continent, and a continent can indeed be made up of two or more separate tectonic plates. The same plate can include continental crust as well as oceanic crust. I hope that helps. Cheers

[@sixthsenseamelia4695]

Thanks for asking this question! 👍

[@mbvoelker8448]

So, the Australian Plate has multiple separate masses of continental crust separated by expanses of oceanic crust?

[@OutThereLearning]

@@mbvoelker8448 correct

[@mbvoelker8448]

@@OutThereLearning Thank you.