Teachable momentsWeatherConstant heating and cooling in the alpine region weakens granite tors, granite tors slowly are

broken down and moved across the landscape the breakdown and decomposed material of
these rocks is known as regolith. This process is caused by physical forces (i.e the sun, wind,
ice and water) and the thawing of the ice in small cracks weakens the structure and the
heating cooling process causes mechanical stresses
Plantsplant roots erode, penetrate and broaden cracks and weaknesses in rocks. Root actions causes
chemical weathering as weak acid compounds are formed when water combined with
hydrogen, oxygen, carbon or nitrogen and materials in the rock which attack the bond that
holds the rock solid (Keller & Frederickson, 1952).
IndigenousThe area holds great spiritual significance to Aboriginal people who believe that the
landscape was created by their ancestors. Caves, rocks, rivers, mountains and other features
are part of a cultural landscape of stories, language, travel routes and cultural places that are
considered significant to Aboriginal people (Parks Victoria, 2009).
Rock sites
Indigenous minimalist approach to the land when toileting, for example our people treat soil
with respect. If a hole is dug to gather bush tucker then it is always filled in again with
respect to the natural environment and its processes, leeching of poo and minerals from
toileting in alpine soils to lower country (Mason, 2013).
Catchments
The importance of high country catchments is the yield, quality and reliability with over
2090mm of rain and has 12 catchment areas or watersheds, the alpine area is less subject to
drought and flood conditions (Lawrence, 2016).
Boulder streams
Caused by ice and gravity boulders begin to slide on the frozen regolith. The boulders get
lumped together in snow and ice, and slowly move down he landscape similar to a glacier.
Shattered rocks from ice wedging.
when water leeches into small cracks of rock in particular granite and the temperature is low
so the ice freezes then it expands and wedges so when the next series of precipitation falls the
crack is larger and the new precipitation freezes and the first process is continuing until the
crack is under so much pressure from the expanding ice that the rock splits or shatters.

lime stone caves near Jagungal

Sedimentary rock (calcium carbonate) created from coral and shell (marine skeletons)
deposit. Warm shallow sea or inland sea edge of islands where deposits stick to the edges and
uplift occurs.
Lava ridge lines
To the west of the Kosciuszko there is a fault line of volcanic sediment from the flow of hot
lava cooling along a gully and turns into basalt. Over thousands of year the gully sides are
eroded and the hard basalt is left protruding as the ridge line (Lawrence, 2016).

(Lawrence, 2016)

The snowy
The snowy river leading into lake Jindabyne sits alone a fault line many of the rivers were
created in this way from faults and up lift and the course of a river is never static so every
small piece of sediment is part of the whole system, one grain of sand dropped in the water
will eventually make its way down the river and to a specific spot where it will find
equilibrium (perhaps in a sand bar).
Soils

Sandy lithosols have very low organic content and are shallow, dry and sandy. They
are found on the high exposed ridges and stony slopes at subalpine and alpine
altitudes and are associated with shrubby heath land, herb fields and feldmark plant
communities.
Peats are acidic, waterlogged soils with large chunks of undecomposed plant material
and are found in the basins and depressions of valleys. They form in wet conditions
where the breaking down of dense layers of moisture loving plants occurs slowly and
are associated with bog communities.
Loam has equal quantities of clay, sand and silt, and frequently has a good content of
organic matter.
Duplex Soils have two distinct horizons in their profile.
Gradational Soils have increasing clay content with depth.

(Mason, 2013)
Faulting
The difference between divergent, convergent and transform faults and the
landforms that they each create along with volcanic significance.

(Williams, 2012)
GEOLOGY INDEX MAP AND GEOMORPHOLOGY OF KOSCIUSZKO AND SURROUNDING AREAS.

(A Division of Catoscope Pty Limited, Unknown)

INDEX OF TERMS FOR HELPFUL RESOURCES:

(Mason, 2013)

(Mason, 2013)

Bibliography
A Division of Catoscope Pty Limited. (Unknown). Geological Sites of NSW.
Retrieved from Formation of the Australian Alps :
http://www.geomaps.com.au/scripts/australianalps.php
Keller, W., & Frederickson, A. (1952). Role of Plants and colloidal acids in the
Mechanism of Weathering. American Journal of Science , 594-608.
Lawrence, R. (2016). High Country Catchment Values. OED1OEE Lecture 21,
[Power Point 5-9] .
Mason, R. (2013). Soils of the Australian Alps. Retrieved from Australian Alps
National Parks:
https://theaustralianalps.files.wordpress.com/2013/11/soils.pdf
Victoria, P. (2009). Alpine Planning . Retrieved from Fact sheet: Significant
Geological Features:
http://parkweb.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0010/535564/FSgeology.pdf
Williams, L. (2012, Spring). Student Papers in Geology. Retrieved from
Earthquakes:
http://skywalker.cochise.edu/wellerr/students/earthquakes4/project.htm