Great Western Tiers

Great Western Tiers

Drys Bluff, part of the Great Western Tiers
Highest point
Peak Ironstone Mountain
Elevation 1,443 m (4,734 ft) AHD
Coordinates 41°42′36″S 146°28′12″E / 41.71000°S 146.47000°E / -41.71000; 146.47000[1]
Dimensions
Length 100 km (62 mi) NE/SW
Geography

Location in Tasmania

Country Australia
State Tasmania
District Central Highlands
Range coordinates 41°56′S 147°10′E / 41.93°S 147.17°E / -41.93; 147.17Coordinates: 41°56′S 147°10′E / 41.93°S 147.17°E / -41.93; 147.17[2]
Geology
Age of rock Jurassic
Type of rock Dolerite

The Great Western Tiers are a collection of mountain bluffs that form the northern edge of the Central Highlands plateau in Tasmania, Australia. The bluffs are contained within the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Site.

The bluffs stretch northwest to southeast over 100 kilometres (62 mi) from the 1,420-metre (4,660 ft) Western Bluff near the town of Mole Creek to the 1,210-metre (3,970 ft) Millers Bluff, approximately 25 kilometres (16 mi) west of Campbell Town.[3]:1

Features

The tiers form an escarpment between the high, rocky, sparsely inhabited central plateau and the lower land of the Meander Valley and the northern midlands. The edge of the tiers have prominent cliffs and columns of Jurassic dolerite. The highest peak in the tiers is the 1,443-metre (4,734 ft) Ironstone Mountain. Unlike most of the bluffs this mountain is not visible from the Meander Valley, but is south of the escarpment.[3]:1 The dolerite is so prominent as the older rocks that overlay them are softer and have been eroded away. In places dolerite columns have collapsed into scree slopes.[3]:5 Many walking tracks ascend the face of the Tiers.

Peaks

The peaks and bluffs of the Great Western Tiers include:

Panorama from Chudleigh towards the Great Western Tiers

See also

References

  1. "Ironstone Mountain (TAS)". Gazetteer of Australia online. Geoscience Australia, Australian Government.
  2. "Great Western Tiers (TAS)". Gazetteer of Australia online. Geoscience Australia, Australian Government.
  3. 1 2 3 Lloyd, Sarah (2012). The edge, a natural history of Tasmania's Great Western Tiers. Friends of Jacky's Marsh Inc. ISBN 978-0-646-57082-2.


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