THE WELLINGTON FAULT-SCARP (figs, i and 4). 



The fault-scarp referred to above as forming the north-western 

 boundary of Port Nicholson trends approximately south-west to- 

 north-east. Its south-western part forms the steep slope of the 

 Tinakori Hills, and its north-eastern continuation extends far up the 

 valley of the Hutt River. The scarp appears to have been submaturely 

 dissected and very recently rejuvenated. It seems to have come 

 into existence as an accompaniment of the formation of the Port 

 Nicholson depression. When rejuvenation took place, however, 

 though probably the floor of the depression again sank, the land on 

 the north-western side of the fault appears to have risen. The 

 newer scarp thus cuts a submaturely dissected surface with a rather 

 steep general slope towards Port Nicholson, blunt-ended spurs alter- 

 nating with streams, a few only of which are now mature at their 



FIG. 7. Raised rock platform and beach, backed by sea-cliffs, 

 southward from Breaker Bay, Wellington. 



mouths. Above the newer scarp would rise the somewhat worn 

 facets of the earlier, dissected scarp. All the streams would cascade 

 into Port Nicholson from the mouths of hanging valleys. These 

 characteristics are still recognizable, though they have been somewhat 

 modified in the post-faulting period. 



Access. Visible from Wellington. A good point of view is the 

 radio station on Tinakori Hills. Take Karori tram to Northland ; 

 thence walk. 



RAISED BEACHES AT WELLINGTON. 



The Wellington earthquake of 1855 was accompanied by a 

 sudden uplift, or, more strictly, tilting of a large block of country. 

 According to the account received by Lyell from eye-witnesses 

 and embodied in the later editions of the Principles of Geology, 



