Hamilton

Geological Summary

The geology of Hamilton is dominated by thick Quaternary fluvial and swamp sediments and volcanic ash. These lie above Oligocene-Miocene sedimentary rock and Mesozoic greywacke basement.

Maps and Information

There are no geological mapping projects underway or imminent in the Hamilton area. Previously completed maps include:

2005/2018: QMAP 1:250 000 geological map

For wider and more generalised geological context of the Hamilton area, a 1:250 000 geological map was printed with accompanying explanatory text. Digital GIS and image versions of the map are available on DVD. The digital version has since been updated in a national GIS dataset at that nominal scale. The underlying GIS datasets have rich feature attributes. See also Web Resources below.

• Edbrooke, S.E. (compiler) 2005. Geology of the Waikato area(external link). Institute of Geological & Nuclear Sciences 1:250 000 geological map 4. Lower Hutt, New Zealand. Institute of Geological & Nuclear Sciences Limited. 1 sheet + 68 p.
• Heron, D.W. (custodian) 2018. Geological Map of New Zealand 1:250 000(external link). GNS Science geological map 1 (2nd edition). Lower Hutt, New Zealand. GNS Science.

A geological map image can be downloaded(external link) or interrogated through the geological map application(external link). For GIS users, the QMAP geological feature layers can be downloaded from GNS Science’s Web Map/Feature Service(external link).

1965/1966: 1:63 360 geological maps

The city area of Hamilton is covered by the published Hamilton and Ngaruawahia geological maps at 1:63360. These are printed maps with limited accompanying text and there are no digital equivalents.

• Kear, D., Schofield, J.C. 1965. Geological map of New Zealand 1:63,360 Sheet N65 Hamilton(external link). 1st ed. Wellington: Department of Scientific and Industrial Research. Geological map of New Zealand 1:63,360 N65. 1 sheet. 
• Kear, D., Schofield, J.C. 1966. Geological map of New Zealand 1:63,360 Sheet N56 Ngaruawahia(external link). 1st ed. Wellington: Department of Scientific and Industrial Research. Geological map of New Zealand 1:63,360 N56. 1 sheet.