Structural Permeability in the Southern Alps Hydrothermal System, New Zealand (b33e2a07-1d4d-4c30-8bdf-80361ff1f843)

The Southern Alps in the South Island of New Zealand are currently rising rapidly as a consequence of continental collision along the Pacific-Australian plate boundary. Rapid uplift has resulted in a major thermal anomaly in the shallow crust beneath the alps. Alpine topography and associated intense precipitation, coupled with the thermal anomaly are responsible for vigorous combined topographic/convective circulation of water through the shallow crust.