The research group reconstructs tectonic movements as well as the deformation processes of rocks under stress and the resulting changes in shape over geological time periods through fieldwork, microscopic examinations, and experiments.
The group’s primary scientific interests are
- Rheology of faults and shear zones in the crust and mantle lithosphere
- Tectonics of the SW Pacific
- Resilience to geo-hazards and sustainability of resources
- Administration and analysis of large datasets
- International research and exchange projects on climate change and resources within the Europe-wide network FORTHEM
The methods we commonly apply in our research include
- Microstructural and texture analysis based on optical and electron microscopic datasets (EBSD, EPMA, TEM) and synchrotron analyses
- Image analysis, particularly of 3D datasets (e.g., computer tomography, photogrammetry)
- Scientific drilling
- Fieldwork (mapping and sampling)
- Computer-aided simulations
- Experimental rock deformation
- RESTLESS –
InducEd SeismiciTy as a function of Lithology, Structure and Stress
- DIVE-
Drilling the Ivrea-Verbano Zone
Equipment and Methods
Our scanning electron microscope is equipped with
LE-BSE high-contrast backscatter detector, specifically for low acceleration voltage and thus higher resolution
ET secondary electron detector
In-lens SE and BSE for high resolution
EDS “Oxford Ultim Max”
EDS “Oxford Ultim Extreme”, windowless EDS detector for light elements and low acceleration voltage
EBSD “Oxford Symmetry 3”
Cathodoluminescence detector
Contact person: Friedrich Hawemann
Under construction
under construction
2025
Pistone, M., Toy, V., Ofman, M., et al. (2025). Can Pseudotachylytes Form via Fracture-Induced Decompression Melting Under Hydrous Conditions?. Tektonika, 3(2). DOI
2023
Toy, V. G., Barth, N. C., Bond, C. E., and McLaren, S. (2023). Virtual and Digital Structural Geology Introduction. Journal of Structural Geology, 168, 104821-104821. DOI
2022
Kluge, E., Toy, V., and Lockner, D. (2022). Electrical Properties and Anisotropy of Schists and Fault Rocks from New Zealand’s Southern Alps under Confining Pressure. Geosciences, 12(3). DOI
2021
Shao, Y., Prior, D. J., Toy, V. G., et al. (2021). Does second phase content control the evolution of olivine CPO type and deformation mechanisms? A case study of paired harzburgite and dunite bands in the Red Hills Massif, Dun Mountain Ophiolite. Lithos, 406-407, 106532-106532. DOI
Charoensawan, J., Adam, L., Ofman, M., et al. (2021). Fracture Shape and Orientation Contributions to P-Wave Velocity and Anisotropy of Alpine Fault Mylonites. Frontiers in Earth Science, 9. DOI
2020
Kirilova, M., Toy, V., Sauer, K., et al. (2020). Micro- and nano-porosity of the active Alpine Fault zone, New Zealand. Solid Earth, 11(6), 2425-2438. DOI
Montheil, L., Toy, V. G., Scott, J. M., et al. (2020). Impact of Coseismic Frictional Melting on Particle Size, Shape Distribution and Chemistry of Experimentally-Generated Pseudotachylite. Frontiers in Earth Science, 8. DOI
Cappuccio, F., Toy, V. G., Mills, S., Adam, L. (2020). Three-Dimensional Separation and Characterization of Fractures in X-Ray Computed Tomographic Images of Rocks. Frontiers in Earth Science, 8. DOI
Adam, L., Frehner, M., Sauer, K., et al. (2020). Seismic Anisotropy and Its Impact on Imaging the Shallow Alpine Fault: An Experimental and Modeling Perspective. Journal of Geophysical Research: Solid Earth, 125(8). DOI
Schuck, B., Schleicher, A. M., Janssen, C., et al. (2020). Fault zone architecture of a large plate-bounding strike-slip fault: a case study from the Alpine Fault, New Zealand. Solid Earth, 11(1), 95-124. DOI
2019
Abdulsamad, F., Revil, A., Ghorbani, A., et al. (2019). Complex Conductivity of Graphitic Schists and Sandstones. Journal of Geophysical Research: Solid Earth, 124(8), 8223-8249. DOI
Fagereng, A., Toy, V. (2019). Fluid-Pressure Effects on Deformation: Analysis of the Lusi Mud Volcano. In A. Billi and A. Fagereng (eds.), Problems and Solutions in Structural Geology and Tectonics. Elsevier. DOI
Toy, V., Manatschal, G., Rosenbaum, G., et al. (2019). Introduction to “Orogenic Cycles: From Field Observations to Global Geodynamics”. Tectonics, 38(1), 3-6. DOI
2018
Kidder, S. B., Toy, V. G., Prior, D. J., et al. (2018). Constraints on Alpine Fault (New Zealand) mylonitization temperatures and the geothermal gradient from Ti-in-quartz thermobarometry. Solid Earth, 9(5), 1123-1139. DOI
Massiot, C., Célérier, B., Doan, M., et al. (2018). The Alpine Fault Hangingwall Viewed From Within: Structural Analysis of Ultrasonic Image Logs in the DFDP‐2B Borehole, New Zealand. Geochemistry, Geophysics, Geosystems, 19(8), 2492-2515. DOI
Litchfield, N. J., Villamor, P., Dissen, R. J. V., et al. (2018). Surface Rupture of Multiple Crustal Faults in the 2016 Mw 7.8 Kaikōura, New Zealand, Earthquake. Bulletin of the Seismological Society of America, 108(3B), 1496-1520. DOI
Schuck, B., Janssen, C., Schleicher, A. M., et al. (2018). Microstructures imply cataclasis and authigenic mineral formation control geomechanical properties of New Zealand’s Alpine Fault. Journal of Structural Geology, 110, 172-186. DOI Author/Publisher URL
Williams, J. N., Toy, V. G., Massiot, C., et al. (2018). Controls on fault zone structure and brittle fracturing in the foliated hanging wall of the Alpine Fault. Solid Earth, 9(2), 469-489. DOI
Kirilova, M., Toy, V., Rooney, J. S., et al. (2018). Structural disorder of graphite and implications for graphite thermometry. Solid Earth, 9(1), 223-231. DOI
Kirilova, M., Toy, V. G., Timms, N., et al. (2018). Textural changes of graphitic carbon by tectonic and hydrothermal processes in an active plate boundary fault zone, Alpine Fault, New Zealand. Geological Society, London, Special Publications, 453(1), 205-223. DOI
2017
Townend, J., Sutherland, R., Toy, V. G., et al. (2017). Petrophysical, Geochemical, and Hydrological Evidence for Extensive Fracture‐Mediated Fluid and Heat Transport in the Alpine Fault’s Hanging‐Wall Damage Zone. Geochemistry, Geophysics, Geosystems, 18(12), 4709-4732. DOI
Toy, V. G., Sutherland, R., Townend, J., et al. (2017). Bedrock geology of DFDP‐2B, central Alpine Fault, New Zealand. New Zealand Journal of Geology and Geophysics, 60(4), 497-518. DOI
Chamberlain, C. J., Boese, C. M., Eccles, J. D., et al. (2017). Real‐Time Earthquake Monitoring during the Second Phase of the Deep Fault Drilling Project, Alpine Fault, New Zealand. Seismological Research Letters, 88(6), 1443-1454. DOI
Toy, V. (2017). The Japan Trench Rapid Drilling Project (JFAST) yields new insights into the mechanics and structure of subduction thrust faults: IODP Expeditions 343 and 343T. In Exploring the Earth under the Sea Australian and New Zealand achievements in the first phase of IODP Scientific Ocean Drilling. ANU Press.
Williams, J. N., Toy, V. G., Smith, S. A. F., Boulton, C. (2017). Fracturing, fluid-rock interaction and mineralisation during the seismic cycle along the Alpine Fault. Journal of Structural Geology, 103, 151-166. DOI
Stirling, M. W., Litchfield, N. J., Villamor, P., et al. (2017). The Mw7.8 2016 Kaikōura earthquake. Bulletin of the New Zealand Society for Earthquake Engineering, 50(2), 73-84. DOI
Sutherland, R., Townend, J., Toy, V., et al. (2017). Extreme hydrothermal conditions at an active plate-bounding fault. NATURE, 546(7656), 137-+. DOI Author/Publisher URL
Williams, J. N., Bevitt, J. J., Toy, V. G. (2017). A comparison of the use of X-ray and neutron tomographic core scanning techniques for drilling projects: insights from scanning core recovered during the Alpine Fault Deep Fault Drilling Project. Scientific Drilling, 22, 35-42. DOI
Toy, V. G., Niemeijer, A., Renard, F., et al. (2017). Striation and slickenline development on quartz fault surfaces at crustal conditions: Origin and effect on friction. JOURNAL OF GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH-SOLID EARTH, 122(5), 3497-3512. DOI Author/Publisher URL
Boulton, C., Yao, L., Faulkner, D. R., et al. (2017). High-velocity frictional properties of Alpine Fault rocks: Mechanical data, microstructural analysis, and implications for rupture propagation. JOURNAL OF STRUCTURAL GEOLOGY, 97, 71-92. DOI Author/Publisher URL
Boulton, C., Menzies, C. D., Toy, V. G., et al. (2017). Geochemical and microstructural evidence for interseismic changes in fault zone permeability and strength, Alpine Fault, New Zealand. GEOCHEMISTRY GEOPHYSICS GEOSYSTEMS, 18(1), 238-265. DOI Author/Publisher URL
2016
Mitchell, T. M., Toy, V., Di Toro, G., et al. (2016). Fault welding by pseudotachylyte formation. GEOLOGY, 44(12), 1059-1062. DOI Author/Publisher URL
Williams, J. N., Toy, V. G., Massiot, C., et al. (2016). Damaged beyond repair? Characterising the damage zone of a fault late in its interseismic cycle, the Alpine Fault, New Zealand. JOURNAL OF STRUCTURAL GEOLOGY, 90, 76-94. DOI Author/Publisher URL
Czertowicz, T. A., Toy, V. G., Scott, J. M. (2016). Recrystallisation, phase mixing and strain localisation in peridotite during rapid extrusion of sub-arc mantle lithosphere. JOURNAL OF STRUCTURAL GEOLOGY, 88, 1-19. DOI Author/Publisher URL
Little, T. A., Prior, D. J., Toy, V. G. (2016). Are quartz LPOs predictably oriented with respect to the shear zone boundary?: A test from the Alpine Fault mylonites, New Zealand. GEOCHEMISTRY GEOPHYSICS GEOSYSTEMS, 17(3), 981-999. DOI Author/Publisher URL
Niemeijer, A. R., Boulton, C., Toy, V. G., et al. (2016). Large-displacement, hydrothermal frictional properties of DFDP-1 fault rocks, Alpine Fault, New Zealand: Implications for deep rupture propagation. JOURNAL OF GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH-SOLID EARTH, 121(2), 624-647. DOI Author/Publisher URL
2015
Little, T. A., Prior, D. J., Toy, V. G., Lindroos, Z. R. (2015). The link between strength of lattice preferred orientation, second phase content and grain boundary migration: A case study from the Alpine Fault zone, New Zealand. JOURNAL OF STRUCTURAL GEOLOGY, 81, 59-77. DOI Author/Publisher URL
Bose, S., Saha, P., Mori, J. J., et al. (2015). Deformation structures in the frontal prism near the Japan Trench: Insights from sandbox models. JOURNAL OF GEODYNAMICS, 89, 29-38. DOI Author/Publisher URL
Toy, V. G., Mitchell, T. M., Druiventak, A., Wirth, R. (2015). Crystallographic preferred orientations may develop in nanocrystalline materials on fault planes due to surface energy interactions. GEOCHEMISTRY GEOPHYSICS GEOSYSTEMS, 16(8), 2549-2563. DOI Author/Publisher URL
Toy, V. G., Boulton, C. J., Sutherland, R., et al. (2015). Fault rock lithologies and architecture of the central Alpine fault, New Zealand, revealed by DFDP-1 drilling. LITHOSPHERE, 7(2), 155-173. DOI Author/Publisher URL
Schleicher, A. M., Sutherland, R., Townend, J., et al. (2015). Clay mineral formation and fabric development in the DFDP-1B borehole, central Alpine Fault, New Zealand. NEW ZEALAND JOURNAL OF GEOLOGY AND GEOPHYSICS, 58(1), 13-21. DOI Author/Publisher URL
Kirkpatrick, J. D., Rowe, C. D., Ujiie, K., et al. (2015). Structure and lithology of the Japan Trench subduction plate boundary fault. TECTONICS, 34(1), 53-69. DOI Author/Publisher URL
2014
Shervais, J., Evans, J., Toy, V., et al. (2014). Drilling to investigate processes in active tectonics and magmatism. Scientific Drilling, 18, 19-33. DOI
Gillam, B. G., Little, T. A., Smith, E., Toy, V. G. (2014). Reprint of Extensional shear band development on the outer margin of the Alpine mylonite zone, Tatare Stream, Southern Alps, New Zealand. JOURNAL OF STRUCTURAL GEOLOGY, 64, 115-134. DOI Author/Publisher URL
Norris, R. J., Toy, V. G. (2014). Continental transforms: A view from the Alpine Fault. JOURNAL OF STRUCTURAL GEOLOGY, 64, 3-31. DOI Author/Publisher URL
Scott, J. M., Borcoysky, D. A., Palin, J. M., Toy, V. G. (2014). Localisation of deformation in the thermal contrast at a granite batholith margin, New Zealand. JOURNAL OF STRUCTURAL GEOLOGY, 64, 149-163. DOI Author/Publisher URL
Snee, J.-E. L., Toy, V. G., Gessner, K. (2014). Significance of brittle deformation in the footwall of the Alpine Fault, New Zealand: Smithy Creek Fault zone. JOURNAL OF STRUCTURAL GEOLOGY, 64, 79-98. DOI Author/Publisher URL
Toy, V. G., Scott, J. M., Prior, D. J. (2014). Introduction to Journal of Structural Geology special issue on “Continental Transform Faults”. JOURNAL OF STRUCTURAL GEOLOGY, 64, 1-2. DOI Author/Publisher URL
Carpenter, B. M., Kitajima, H., Sutherland, R., et al. (2014). Hydraulic and acoustic properties of the active Alpine Fault, New Zealand: Laboratory measurements on DFDP-1 drill core. EARTH AND PLANETARY SCIENCE LETTERS, 390, 45-51. DOI Author/Publisher URL
Boulton, C., Moore, D. E., Lockner, D. A., et al. (2014). Frictional properties of exhumed fault gouges in DFDP-1 cores, Alpine Fault, New Zealand. GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH LETTERS, 41(2), 356-362. DOI Author/Publisher URL
2013
Chester, F. M., Rowe, C., Ujiie, K., et al. (2013). Structure and Composition of the Plate-Boundary Slip Zone for the 2011 Tohoku-Oki Earthquake. SCIENCE, 342(6163), 1208-1211. DOI Author/Publisher URL
Fulton, P. M., Brodsky, E. E., Kano, Y., et al. (2013). Low Coseismic Friction on the Tohoku-Oki Fault Determined from Temperature Measurements. SCIENCE, 342(6163), 1214-1217. DOI Author/Publisher URL
Ujiie, K., Tanaka, H., Saito, T., et al. (2013). Low Coseismic Shear Stress on the Tohoku-Oki Megathrust Determined from Laboratory Experiments. SCIENCE, 342(6163), 1211-1214. DOI Author/Publisher URL
Gillam, B. G., Little, T. A., Smith, E., Toy, V. G. (2013). Extensional shear band development on the outer margin of the Alpine mylonite zone, Tatare Stream, Southern Alps, New Zealand. JOURNAL OF STRUCTURAL GEOLOGY, 54, 1-20. DOI Author/Publisher URL
Rowe, C. D., Moore, J. C., Remitti, F. (2013). The thickness of subduction plate boundary faults from the seafloor into the seismogenic zone. GEOLOGY, 41(9), 991-994. DOI Author/Publisher URL
Townend, J., Sutherland, R., Toy, V. G., et al. (2013). Late-interseismic state of a continental plate-bounding fault: Petrophysical results from DFDP-1 wireline logging and core analysis, Alpine Fault, New Zealand. GEOCHEMISTRY GEOPHYSICS GEOSYSTEMS, 14(9), 3801-3820. DOI Author/Publisher URL
Billia, M. A., Timms, N. E., Toy, V. G., et al. (2013). Grain boundary dissolution porosity in quartzofeldspathic ultramylonites: Implications for permeability enhancement and weakening of mid-crustal shear zones. JOURNAL OF STRUCTURAL GEOLOGY, 53, 2-14. DOI Author/Publisher URL
Barth, N. C., Boulton, C., Carpenter, B. M., et al. (2013). Slip localization on the southern Alpine Fault, New Zealand. TECTONICS, 32(3), 620-640. DOI Author/Publisher URL
Kruckenberg, S. C., Tikoff, B., Toy, V. G., et al. (2013). Strain localization associated with channelized melt migration in upper mantle lithosphere: Insights from the Twin Sisters ultramafic complex, Washington, USA. JOURNAL OF STRUCTURAL GEOLOGY, 50, 133-147. DOI Author/Publisher URL
Toy, V. G., Norris, R. J., Prior, D. J., et al. (2013). How do lineations reflect the strain history of transpressive shear zones? The example of the active Alpine Fault zone, New Zealand. JOURNAL OF STRUCTURAL GEOLOGY, 50, 187-198. DOI Author/Publisher URL
Lin, W., Conin, M., Moore, J. C., et al. (2013). Stress State in the Largest Displacement Area of the 2011 Tohoku-Oki Earthquake. SCIENCE, 339(6120), 687-690. DOI Author/Publisher URL
2012
Sutherland, R., Toy, V. G., Townend, J., et al. (2012). Drilling reveals fluid control on architecture and rupture of the Alpine fault, New Zealand. GEOLOGY, 40(12), 1143-1146. DOI Author/Publisher URL
Barth, N. C., Toy, V. G., Langridge, R. M., Norris, R. J. (2012). Scale dependence of oblique plate-boundary partitioning: New insights from LiDAR, central Alpine fault, New Zealand. LITHOSPHERE, 4(5), 435-448. DOI Author/Publisher URL
Toy, V. G., Prior, D. J., Norris, R. J., et al. (2012). Relationships between kinematic indicators and strain during syn-deformational exhumation of an oblique slip, transpressive, plate boundary shear zone: The Alpine Fault, New Zealand. EARTH AND PLANETARY SCIENCE LETTERS, 333, 282-292. DOI Author/Publisher URL
Boulton, C., Carpenter, B. M., Toy, V., Marone, C. (2012). Physical properties of surface outcrop cataclastic fault rocks, Alpine Fault, New Zealand. GEOCHEMISTRY GEOPHYSICS GEOSYSTEMS, 13. DOI Author/Publisher URL
2011
Dempsey, E. D., Prior, D. J., Mariani, E., et al. (2011). Mica-controlled anisotropy within mid-to-upper crustal mylonites: an EBSD study of mica fabrics in the Alpine Fault Zone, New Zealand. Geological Society, London, Special Publications, 360(1), 33-47. DOI
Fagereng, Åke, Toy, V. G. (2011). Geology of the earthquake source: an introduction. Geological Society, London, Special Publications, 359(1), 1-16. DOI
Toy, V. G., Ritchie, S., Sibson, R. H. (2011). Diverse habitats of pseudotachylytes in the Alpine Fault Zone and relationships to current seismicity. Geological Society, London, Special Publications, 359(1), 115-133. DOI
2010
Toy, V. G., Craw, D., Cooper, A. F., and Norris, R. J. (2010). Thermal regime in the central Alpine Fault zone, New Zealand: Constraints from microstructures, biotite chemistry and fluid inclusion data. TECTONOPHYSICS, 485(1-4), 178-192. DOI Author/Publisher URL
Toy, V. G., Newman, J., Lamb, W., and Tikoff, B. (2010). The Role of Pyroxenites in Formation of Shear Instabilities in the Mantle: Evidence from an Ultramafic Ultramylonite, Twin Sisters Massif, Washington. JOURNAL OF PETROLOGY, 51(1-2), 55-80. DOI Author/Publisher URL
2009
Medaris, G. J., Ackerman, L., Jelinek, E., et al. (2009). The Sklene garnet peridotite: petrology, geochemistry, and structure of a mantle-derived boudin in Moldanubian granulite. JOURNAL OF GEOSCIENCES, 54(4), 301-323. DOI Author/Publisher URL
2008
Toy, V. G., and Sporli, K. B. (2008). Stratigraphic and structural evidence for an accretionary precursor to the Northland Allochthon: Mt Camel Terrane, northernmost New Zealand. NEW ZEALAND JOURNAL OF GEOLOGY AND GEOPHYSICS, 51(4), 331-347. DOI Author/Publisher URL
Toy, V. G., Prior, D. J., and Norris, R. J. (2008). Quartz fabrics in the Alpine Fault mylonites: Influence of pre-existing preferred orientations on fabric development during progressive uplift. JOURNAL OF STRUCTURAL GEOLOGY, 30(5), 602-621. DOI Author/Publisher URL
2006
Schellart, W. P., Lister, G. S., and Toy, V. G. (2006). A Late Cretaceous and Cenozoic reconstruction of the Southwest Pacific region: Tectonics controlled by subduction and slab rollback processes. EARTH-SCIENCE REVIEWS, 76(3-4), 191-233. DOI Author/Publisher URL
Miller, M. S., Kennett, B. L. N., and Toy, V. G. (2006). Spatial and temporal evolution of the subducting Pacific plate structure along the western Pacific margin – art. no. B02401. JOURNAL OF GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH-SOLID EARTH, 111(B2). DOI Author/Publisher URL
Sibson, R. H., and Toy, V. G. (2006). The habitat of fault-generated pseudotachylyte: Presence vs. absence of friction melt. In A. McGarr, R. Abercrombie, and G. Di Toro (eds.), Earthquakes: Radiated Energy and the Physics of Faulting (Vols. 170, pp. 153-166). American Geophysical Union.
Sibson, R. H., and Toy, V. G. (2006). The habitat of fault-generated pseudotachylyte: Presence vs. absence of friction-melt. In Geophysical Monograph Series (pp. 153-166). American Geophysical Union. DOI
under construction
