New Zealand (2017)

Twenty two U-M students participated in the 2017 international field trip to New Zealand, led by Nathan Niemi and Tim Stahl (post-doc ’15-’17).  Over the course of three weeks, students explored both the North and South Islands.  The trip emphasized active tectonic, geomorphic, and volcanic processes, with explorations of the Taupo volcanic field, the Alpine fault, and coastal erosion. Between planning the trip and travel, the South Island of New Zealand was struck by the 2016 M 7.8 Kaikōura earthquake.  This unexpected geologic event afforded the students a rare opportunity to observe near-contemporaneous fault scarps, earthquake-driven landslides, and the uplift and exposure of coastal abrasion platforms. Opportunities to explore geothermal power plants, Maori cultural centers, and several landmarks from Middle Earth broadened student perspectives on New Zealand.