I am loosely involved in an international collaboration of geologists drilling through the Alpine Fault at Gaunt Creek near Whataroa. I spent a couple days visiting the site and doing some related fieldwork up some nearby creeks. Two holes were drilled up to 150m depth through the fault to extract near-continuous rock core through the fault and to install instruments in the hole to listen and record earthquakes and other ground deformation.On site everyone was working hard and it was easy to feel like an impostor as I was taking photos and not being of much help. It was fascinating to see the whole thing in progress though. There were many setbacks, but in the end I think everyone was satisfied with the results of this first phase of the DFDP and it is clear a lot of good science will come out of it. It was exciting to see a big science project in action.
Geologists drooling over the core from the center of the fault
Alpine Fault gouge sculptures
Gaunt Creek Drill Site 2
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