Part 3. Present plate boundary and its evolution in the New Zealand region: New Zealand 60 m.y. ago

Abstract

Rigid plate theory has been highly successful in explaining the origin of the oceans, but far less so in explaining the twisted rock belts of the continents. The New Zealand region is the smallest of the continents, and its rocks have a fairly simple twist, which is well mapped and has been termed a recurved arc. Can New Zealand be straightened out while keeping the ocean floor rigid? The following is a preliminary attempt.