Controls on river terrace formation in New Zealand

This paper analyses controls on river terrace formation in New Zealand through a selective review of published literature. Emphasis is placed on four case studies from the North Island and three case studies from the South Island. In general terms, climatic controls upon sediment availability and discharge exert the primary influence on terrace formation. The preservation of terraces is influenced by tectonic uplift. In some instances, large inputs of sediment in response to disturbance events have induced differing phases of terrace formation at a local/regional rather than a national/continental scale. Examples of disturbance events include 'natural' volcanic inputs and human-induced sediment inputs in response to land use changes.