Research: Enviroment & Land Use

QMAP: Geological Map of New Zealand

2004 – 2010

Funder: Foundation for Research, Science and Technology
Contact: Mark Rattenbury

The QMAP: Geological Map of New Zealand research programme is improving our knowledge of the geology of New Zealand by making new geological maps, and exploring relationships between rock types and deciphering their geological origins.

By 2010 the QMAP programme will have:

1. Completed publication of 21 geological maps covering New Zealand at 1:250,000 together with accompanying explanatory texts.
2. Completed release of 21 vector data CDs containing digital representations of these geological maps for use with Geographic Information Systems (GIS) software and other digital map data.
3. A seamless GIS geological map dataset based on and updated from the 21 geological maps covering New Zealand available via the internet.
4. Published a new 1:250,000 geological map of South Victoria Land in Antarctica, including the Dry Valleys, Royal Society Range and Ross Island, with an accompanying explanatory text.
5. Published a new 1:1,000,000 Geological Map of New Zealand, generalised from the new 1:250,000 geological maps, and made the GIS dataset available via the internet.
6. Published research papers in scientific journals on the origins of New Zealand’s geological basement rocks, in particular the characterisation, provenance and tectonic history of our greywacke rocks, and the characterisation, timing and tectonic setting of granitic pluton rocks in western South Island.

The QMAP programme also oversees two Nationally Significant Databases. One of these is the Regional Geology Map Archive and Database that manages a collection of historic published and unpublished geological maps dating back to the late 19th century. The other is the National Petrology Database and Collection of rocks, samples and thin sections from around New Zealand, Antarctica and the South Pacific in particular. The database component, PETLAB, includes petrology information from all New Zealand universities as well as GNS Science.

The programme is preparing and disseminating fundamental geological information in a variety of media. This information underpins research across a range of geological disciplines and is used to better understand our exposure to natural geological hazards such as active faults, ground shaking, landslides and volcanic eruption as well as the exploration and management of earth resources such as minerals, groundwater and petroleum. QMAP data are used by other science research programmes, central, regional and local government, mineral and petroleum exploration companies, industry, universities and schools, consultants and the general public.

Visit our QMAP site.

 

25 Aug, 2009