Volume 1, Number 2, 1967
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This collection contains all the articles from Volume 1, Number 2, 1967 of the Earth Science Journal.
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Item Coverpage and Contents(Journal Article, Waikato Geological Society, The University of Waikato, 1967) Waikato Geological SocietyCoverpage and Contents from Volume 1, Number 2, 1967 of Earth Science Journal.Item A systems approach to the description and interpretation of the landsurface of the northern half of the North Island, New Zealand(Journal Article, Waikato Geological Society, The University of Waikato, 1967) Conacher, A.J.The paper examines a framework of approach within which landsurface analysis may be undertaken in the humid-temperate northern half of the North Island, New Zealand; an area exhibiting a wide range of lithologies and surface cover, with evidence of recent and current tectonic and volcanic activity, and undergoing active geomorphic processes'. The largely theoretical formulations of W. M. Davis, W. Penck and L. C. King are considered briefly and are rejected on both theoretical and practical grounds. General systems theory encompasses certain concepts and systems properties which have been applied by a number of geomorphologists. The open system property of dynamic equilibrium is examined, and is found to be inapplicable to the total landsurface of this region. The concepts of environment and sub-system are introduced and their relevance to the region illustrated by a physical hillslope model. Dynamic equilibrium is considered to be a possible state of certain hillslope sub-systems. Construction of a mathematical model to describe the total landsurface or the entire hillslope system is not feasible until hillslope sub-systems have been analysed. The form of a linear regression model applicable to hillslope sub-systems is introduced, and it is suggested that the pattern of the residuals from regression may be used as a statistical technique to assist in identifying .significant system boundary conditions, and to provide a quantitative indication of the influence of historical factors.Item Recent aggradation within the Waikato River(Journal Article, Waikato Geological Society, The University of Waikato, 1967) Schofield, J.C.Since approximately 130 A.D. the bed of the Waikato River, in its lower reaches, has been raised 20 to 30ft - most likely by an amount closer to the latter figure. This represents an average of about 1ft every 60 years. Of the causal factors discussed, it is concluded that man-caused erosion is the main contributory factor but, as sea level may have been 10ft lower during 130 A.D., a rise of this amount would no doubt be another major cause.Item Fifteenth century earth science(Journal Article, Waikato Geological Society, The University of Waikato, 1967) Stokes, EvelynThe earth science content of two late medieval encyclopedias, the Mirrour of the World and Higden's Polychronicon, both printed by William Caxton in the 1480's, is examined in relation to fifteenth century ideas about the physical nature of the earth and the universe. Such topics as the four elements, the earth and the spheres, location of Hell and Paradise, the arrangement of , continents and oceans, the unity of waters, earthquakes and volcanoes, erosion, fossils and mountain building, climatic zones and weather phenomena are summarized and reference made to the Biblical and Classical Greek sources of these ideas.Item Tidal hydrology in Pegasus Bay(Journal Article, Waikato Geological Society, The University of Waikato, 1967) Blake, G.J.Changes in the geomorphology of the coastal plain river mouths of Pegasus Bay over the last 100 years are considered. Comment is also made on estuarine sediment and flow, the difficulty of measuring these two quantities and the need to treat the estuarine channel of a river as an important part of the catchment.