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Australia’s Physical Geography Australia – a stable continent Australia is the lowest and flattest of the seven continents. This is because it is located almost centrally on a crustal tectonic plate. There is no major mountain-building activity, which commonly occurs where plates join. Australia – a stable continent The ancient rocks on the Australian continent have been subjected to gradational forces for much longer than those on other continents. Gradational forces affect Earth’s surface from above. Tectonic forces affect Earth’s surface from below. Gradational and tectonic forces Gradational forces usually break down Earth’s surface, or even level it out. Volcanoes and earthquakes result from tectonic forces. Tectonic forces usually force the surface upwards or change its structure. Gradational and tectonic forces Landform features caused by gradational forces are classified into three types: • residual – landform features that remain after gradation has occurred, or that resist gradation • erosional – landform features created when material is removed (e.g. by wind or water) • depositional – landform features consisting of material relocated after erosion. Gradational or tectonic forces? Identify each of these seven processes as either gradational or tectonic. Gradational Tectonic Gradational or tectonic forces? weathering vulcanism folding faulting landslide Gradational erosion deposition Tectonic weathering, folding, faulting, erosion, vulcanism, landslide, deposition Gradational or tectonic forces? folding vulcanism landslide Gradational weathering weathering faulting erosion deposition Tectonic Gradational or tectonic forces? faulting vulcanism landslide Gradational weathering folding erosion deposition Tectonic folding Gradational or tectonic forces? erosion vulcanism landslide Gradational weathering deposition Tectonic folding faulting faulting Gradational or tectonic forces? vulcanism landslide Gradational weathering erosion erosion deposition Tectonic folding faulting Gradational or tectonic forces? landslide Gradational weathering erosion deposition Tectonic folding faulting vulcanism vulcanism Gradational or tectonic forces? deposition Gradational weathering erosion landslide landslide Tectonic folding faulting vulcanism Gradational or tectonic forces? Gradational weathering erosion landslide deposition deposition Tectonic folding faulting vulcanism Processes shaping landforms in Australia Identify places in Australia where there are landforms created by these processes. • weathering • vulcanism • folding • landslide • faulting • deposition • erosion Gradational forces – what type of landform feature? Match each description to a landform. Then identify it as residual, erosional or depositional. mountain valley beach dune gibber plain plain delta canyon Gradational forces – what type of landform feature? residual erosional depositional An area of lower land, usually between hills or mountains. mountain valley beach dune gibber plain plain delta canyon Gradational forces – what type of landform feature? erosional An area of lower land, usually between hills or mountains. valley Gradational forces – what type of landform feature? residual erosional depositional An accumulation of material at a river-mouth mountain valley beach dune gibber plain plain delta canyon Gradational forces – what type of landform feature? depositional An accumulation of material at a river-mouth delta Gradational forces – what type of landform feature? residual erosional depositional A deep, steep-sided valley mountain valley beach dune gibber plain plain delta canyon Gradational forces – what type of landform feature? erosional A deep, steep-sided valley canyon Gradational forces – what type of landform feature? residual erosional depositional A stony surface where wind has removed finer materials mountain valley beach dune gibber plain plain delta canyon Gradational forces – what type of landform feature? residual erosional A stony surface where wind has removed finer materials gibber plain Gradational forces – what type of landform feature? residual erosional depositional A large, flat, low-lying area mountain valley beach dune gibber plain plain delta canyon Gradational forces – what type of landform feature? residual depositional A large, flat, low-lying area plain Gradational forces – what type of landform feature? residual erosional depositional Material that accumulates along a coastline mountain valley beach dune gibber plain plain delta canyon Gradational forces – what type of landform feature? depositional Material that accumulates along a coastline beach Gradational forces – what type of landform feature? residual erosional depositional A very high, steeply sloped landform feature mountain valley beach dune gibber plain plain delta canyon Gradational forces – what type of landform feature? residual A very high, steeply sloped landform feature mountain Gradational forces – what type of landform feature? residual erosional depositional An undulating pattern of windblown material mountain valley beach dune gibber plain plain delta canyon Gradational forces – what type of landform feature? depositional An undulating pattern of windblown material dune Australia’s landform regions Most of Australia’s landform consists of hills and plateaus. Compared with other continents, Australia has few mountainous regions. Australia’s landform regions In a journey across Australia from west to east, following the Tropic of Capricorn, the main types of landform you would cross (in order) are: A. coastal plains, highlands, interior lowlands, hills and plateaus, coastal plains. B. coastal plains, interior lowlands, hills and plateaus, highlands. C. coastal plains, hills and plateaus, interior lowlands, hills and plateaus, coastal plains. D. coastal plains, interior lowlands, coastal plains. Australia’s landform regions Desert landforms, such as sand dunes and canyons, would most likely be located in the: A. highlands and interior lowlands. B. interior lowlands and coastal plains. C. interior lowlands and plateau. D. western plateau and hignlands. Australia’s landform regions Australia has ancient, extinct volcanoes in the eastern states. The volcanoes are oldest in QLD, of intermediate age in NSW and youngest in VIC and SA. This most likely provides evidence that Australia: A. is drifting closer to New Zealand which has active volcanoes. B. has been drifting northward over a hotspot in Earth’s crust. C. has been drifting southward over a hotspot in Earth’s crust. D. is about to experience renewed volcanic eruptions. Facts and figures about Australia Match each landform example to the correct landform feature. Flinders Ranges fold mountains Kimberley volcano Mount Gambier block mountains Eastern Highlands dissected plateau Facts and figures about Australia Match each landform example to the correct landform feature. fold mountains Kimberley volcano Mount Gambier Flinders Ranges block mountains Eastern Highlands dissected plateau Facts and figures about Australia Match each landform example to the correct landform feature. fold mountains volcano Mount Gambier Flinders Ranges block mountains Eastern Highlands Kimberley dissected plateau Facts and figures about Australia Match each landform example to the correct landform feature. fold mountains Mount Gambier volcano Flinders Ranges block mountains Eastern Highlands Kimberley dissected plateau Facts and figures about Australia Match each landform example to the correct landform feature. Eastern Highlands fold mountains Mount Gambier volcano Flinders Ranges block mountains Kimberley dissected plateau Facts and figures about Australia Complete the sentences. largest Australia is the world’s _______________ island, with a land area of about 7 692 000 km2. flattest Australia is also the world’s _____________ continent, with its highest point measuring 2228 m. driest Australia is the second __________ continent in the world, after Antarctica. True or false? Cape York Peninsula is north-west of Alice Springs. False – Cape York Peninsula is north-east of Alice Springs. Cape York Peninsula Alice Springs True or false? Melville Island is Australia’s second largest island after Tasmania. Melville Island True or false? The Flinders Ranges are located in Western Australia. False – The Flinders Ranges are located in South Australia. South Australia Flinders Ranges True or false? Mt Kosciuszko is Australia’s highest point. Mt Kosciuszko True or false? Perth’s climate can be described as tropical and wet. False – Perth’s climate has four seasons, and can be described as Mediterranean. Western Australia Perth Which place am I? • I am a 260-metre long reef. • I am the largest fringing coral reef in Australia. • I contain over 500 species of fish and 200 species of coral. Which place am I? Ningaloo Reef, Western Australia • I am a 260-metre long reef. • I am the largest fringing coral reef in Australia. • I contain over 500 species of fish and 200 species of coral. Which place am I? • I am located 110 km south-west of Adelaide. • I am Australia’s third largest island. • My natural attractions make me very popular with tourists. Which place am I? Kangaroo Island, South Australia • I am located 110 km south-west of Adelaide. • I am Australia’s third largest island. • My natural attractions make me very popular with tourists. Which place am l? • I am the world’s largest sand island. • I am 125 km long and over 160 000 hectares in area. • I was formed during the Ice Age, when wind transported vast quantities of sand from NSW and deposited it along the Queensland coast. Which place am I? Fraser Island, Queensland • I am the world’s largest sand island. • I am 125 km long and over 160 000 hectares in area. • I was formed during the Ice Age, when wind transported vast quantities of sand from NSW and deposited it along the Queensland coast. Which place am I? • I run 300 km east and west of Alice Springs. • I am the second longest and second highest mountain range in Australia. • I have red sandstone gorges and waterholes lined with red river gums and ghost gums. Which place am I? Macdonnell Ranges Northern Territory • I run 300 km east and west of Alice Springs. • I am the second longest and second highest mountain range in Australia. • I have red sandstone gorges and waterholes lined with red river gums and ghost gums. Which place am I? • Scientists believe I formed 2700 million years ago. • I am 14 metres high and 110 metres long. • I look like I am just about to break. Which place am I? Wave Rock West Australia • Scientists believe I formed 2700 million years ago. • I am 14 metres high and 110 metres long. • I look like I am just about to break. Which place am I? • I am located 987 km west of Sydney. • I am one of 17 dry lakes which constitute the Willandra Lakes World Heritage Area. • I dried up 14 000 years ago and am now a rich source of fossils. Which place am I? Lake Mungo Lake Mungo New South Wales • I am located 987 km west of Sydney. • I am one of 17 dry lakes which constitute the Willandra Lakes World Heritage Area. • I dried up 14 000 years ago and am now a rich source of fossils. Which place am I? • I am a rainforest located in tropical Far North Queensland. • I am 135 million years old. • I was placed on the World Heritage List in 1988. Which place am I? Daintree Rainforest Queensland • I am a rainforest located in tropical Far North Queensland. • I am 135 million years old. • I was placed on the World Heritage List in 1988. Which place am I? • I am 1545 metres tall. • I am one of the most popular tourist destinations in Tasmania. Which place am I? Cradle Mountain Tasmania • I am 1545 metres tall. • I am one of the most popular tourist destinations in Tasmania. Australia’s climate Australia is affected by different types of air masses. These air masses affect the atmospheric conditions in different parts of the continent. They are moved about by winds. Australia’s climate Air masses: • Sm – Southern maritime • Pc – Polar continental • E – Equatorial • Pm – Polar maritime • Tc – Tropical continental • Tm – Tropical maritime Australia’s climate Features: • Sm – cool and humid • Pc – cold and dry • E – hot and humid • Pm – cold and humid • Tc – warm and dry • Tm – warm and humid What types of air masses affect the weather in your area? Climatic regions Match the numbers with the climatic regions. __ Tropical East Coast __ Tropical Wet–Dry, Monsoon __ Tropical Desert __ Warm Temperate East Coast __ Warm Temperate West Coast (Mediterranean) __ Mid Latitude Continental __ Cool Temperate West Coast Zeehan Climatic regions Match the numbers with the climatic regions. 2 Tropical East Coast __ __ 1 Tropical Wet–Dry, Monsoon 3 Tropical Desert __ __ 6 Warm Temperate East Coast 5 Warm Temperate __ West Coast (Mediterranean) __ 4 Mid Latitude Continental __ 7 Cool Temperate West Coast Zeehan Climatic regions Which climatic region does this climate graph come from? Daly Waters Tropical Wet–Dry, Monsoon Climatic regions Which climatic region does this climate graph come from? Zeehan Cool Temperate West Coast Climatic regions Which climatic region does this climate graph come from? Adelaide Warm Temperate West Coast (Mediterranean) Climatic regions Which climatic region does this climate graph come from? Cairns Tropical East Coast Climatic regions What do you think the climate graph looks like for: Charlotte Waters? Charlotte Waters Tropical Desert Climatic regions What do you think the climate graph looks like for: Condobolin? Condobolin Mid Latitude Continental Climatic regions What do you think the climate graph looks like for: Port Macquarie? Port Macquarie Warm Temperate East Coast Weather patterns – typical winter conditions What are the features of this synoptic chart? Describe the typical weather conditions across the continent during winter. Weather patterns – typical winter conditions The air pressure in Brisbane is closest to: A B C D 1014 hPa. 1013 hPa. 1012 hPa. 1014 isobars. Weather patterns – typical winter conditions In the last 24 hours, Sydney experienced: A a change of wind direction. B a fall in temperature. C the onset of rainfall. D all of the above. Weather patterns – typical summer conditions What are the features of this synoptic chart? Describe the typical weather conditions across the continent during summer. Weather patterns – typical summer conditions The synoptic feature that best indicates this is a summer chart is: A the cold front in the south east. B the pressure systems in the north. C the pressure systems in the south. D the absence of rain. Weather patterns – typical summer conditions One state capital being influenced by a Sm (Southern maritime) air mass is: A B C D Brisbane. Sydney. Adelaide. Hobart. Case study – Uluru We know Uluru as a huge rock. But in fact it is part of an alluvial fan, formed by the erosion of the Petermann Ranges. Alice Springs Uluru Case study – Uluru Around 550 million years ago, the Petermann Ranges were bigger than they are now. Over time, rain eroded rock and sand and deposited it in alluvial fans. Fifty million years later, the area was covered in sea. Sand and mud covered the alluvial fans, which turned into rock. Case study – Uluru About 100 million years later, the sea was gone and central Australia was subjected to massive tectonic forces. These forces caused part of the alluvial fan to move nearly 90o, so it was standing on its end. Case study – Uluru Over the past 300 million years, the softer rocky material eroded away. This left Uluru (part of the old alluvial fan) exposed. The area was covered with windblown sand plains and dunes 30 000 years ago. Case study – Uluru Kata Tjuta, once known as The Olgas, was formed in the same way. But it is made of different types of rock. Both Uluru and Kata Tjuta are the tips of huge slabs of rock, which extend up to 6 km underground. Case study – Uluru Use these words to complete the sentences: driest deposition sand rock water pressure exposed alluvial tectonic Today, Uluru is located in one of the _____________ driest parts of Australia. But it was formed 550 million years ago by the action of water ___________. Erosion of sand and rock by rain from nearby mountains resulted in _________________ deposition of the material into large _______________ fans. alluvial Case study – Uluru Use these words to complete the sentences: driest deposition sand rock water pressure exposed alluvial tectonic _______________ from the sea, mud and sand that Pressure rock settled on these fans caused them to become _________. tectonic After upheaval caused by _______________ forces, Uluru shifted about 90o degrees. Erosion of the softer rock has left the hard rocky surface of Uluru ______________ and the surrounding area is exposed covered in ___________________. sand Research task – Uluru This explanation of Uluru’s formation is based on modern geological knowledge. Indigenous people explain it very differently – find out about their story of how Uluru came to be.