Peneplain modification in an alpine environment of Central Otago, New Zealand

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Abstract
Investigation of clay mineralogy and landforms on an uplifted area of the Central Otago peneplain has indicated minimal degradation of the surface during the Quaternary. Comparative X‐ray diffraction analysis of soil/rock clays from the Old Man Range and Garvie Mountains, and clays in Quaternary ‐ late Tertiary sediments from the upper Clutha valley, identifies clay minerals (kaolinite) that developed on the peneplain in the Tertiary, and not during the Quaternary. Erosion of the peneplain has been limited to removal of an irregular 0–10 m deep weathered zone (developed in pre‐Quatemary times). Upland tors have formed by erosion of this weathered zone, and share a common origin with lower altitude tors. Other landforms (soil hummocks and solifluction features) indicate slow erosion rates on the exposed summits. The small amount of peneplain erosion in the uplands indicated by this study is comparable with degradation rates determined elsewhere in Central Otago.

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