Important Natural Landscapes (Boffa Miskell, 2013)

38Coastal Area 3 : Conway TerracesNatural Character AttributesDegree of Natural Character Zone A Zones A & B Zone BWaterAbioticSystems &LandformsPerceptual/experientialTerrestrialBioticSystemsLand Cover& Land UseVery High High Moderate to HighModerateModerate to LowLowVery LowWaterOverall Natural Character Ratingfor Coastal AreaThe foreshore of this coastal area is formed byerosion and fan accumulation can be recognisednarrow, high energy gravel beaches. Coastal erosionon the Conway Coast. In the last glacial phasedominates in this area. The Waiau River to the south isextensive alluvial fans developed, which have beenan important coastalfurther covered bysediment supplier.loess. Following theBushett Shoal, whichrapid uplift of thecontains rocky offshoreHawkswood Range,bars, lies somedistinctive drainage7 km off the coast,patterns of deeplyapproximately half wayincised streamsbetween the mouthsdeveloped on theof the Conway andslopes and alongWaiau Rivers. Bushettthe terraces. TheShoal can generallymarine terraces formbe spotted from thea large identifiedturbulence around theGeopreservation Site,sunken rocks. Theseand are particularlyrocky sea-mounts riseThe elevated tops of the terraces are farmed and devoid of nativelegible. A fossil forestfrom 40 metres to justvegetation, while bush remnants are confined to the incisedand marine fossila few metres below thegully systems.traces, which aresurface of the water.located at the backOn their seawardof the gravel beach near Ploughman Creek, have alsoside is the very deep water of the southern end of thebeen identified as such sites. The most recent erosionalKaikoura Canyon.processes have created impressive steep sea cliffsAbiotic Systems and Landformimmediately adjacent to the gravel beaches on theforeshore.Three ice-age cycles of marine cliffing, marineaggradation, regression of the sea, followed byRAFTFTFTHIghHurunui District | 2013