Geological map of New Zealand 1:250,000 Sheet 27 Fiord

The Geological Map of New Zealand Sheet 27 Fiord is a foundational 1:250,000 scale map published by the New Zealand Department of Scientific and Industrial Research (D.S.I.R.) in 1960. Compiled by geologist B.L. Wood, it provides a detailed overview of the complex terrain of southwestern Fiordland.

Key Characteristics of Sheet 27

• Scale and Scope:
  Part of the first-edition 1:250,000 geological map series, covering the southernmost fiords, including Dusky Sound, Chalky Inlet, and Preservation Inlet.

• Geological Composition:

  • Metamorphic Rocks:
    Dominated by ancient crystalline rocks such as gneiss and schist.
  • Igneous Intrusions:
    Features a series of basic, intermediate, and acid intrusive rocks, including large granite bodies.
  • Sedimentary Cover:
    Includes overlying Cretaceous and Tertiary sediments (sandstones and mudstones) found in the upper crust and coastal foothills.

• Structural Features:
  Highlights the region's cross-section of continental crust, showing exposed lower crustal granulites and the impact of successive glacial activity on the landscape.