Stratigraphy of the Awatere Group, Marlborough, New Zealand

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Abstract
The Awatere Group comprises siliciclastic marine and freshwater sediments of Late Miocene and Pliocene age that unconformably overlie basement rocks in the lower Awatere Valley, Marlborough, New Zealand. The Awatere Group has marked stratigraphic and lateral lithologic variations which make it difficult to adequately subdivide. This paper presents results of a detailed stratigraphic study of the Awatere Group, with an emphasis on the Upton Formation. The nomenclature associated with, and the definitions of, the Medway, Upton and Starborough Formations that comprise the Awatere Group are revised and members are defined within each formation. Detailed descriptions of units are presented to facilitate field recognition and to provide a framework for lithological correlation within the Awatere Group. This work thus comprises a new working definition of the stratigraphy of the Awatere Group.