Mountain Ranges Of The World Questions Medium
The Great Dividing Range in Australia is a vast mountain range that stretches along the eastern coast of the continent, spanning over 3,500 kilometers. Its geological history is complex and spans millions of years.
The formation of the Great Dividing Range can be traced back to the breakup of the supercontinent Gondwana around 180 million years ago. During this time, Australia began to separate from Antarctica and started drifting northward. As the continent moved, tectonic forces caused the crust to buckle and fold, leading to the formation of mountain ranges.
Around 100 million years ago, during the Cretaceous period, the eastern margin of Australia experienced intense volcanic activity. This volcanic activity contributed to the uplift and further shaping of the Great Dividing Range. The volcanic rocks that were formed during this period can still be seen in some parts of the range today.
Over the following millions of years, erosion played a significant role in shaping the Great Dividing Range. Rivers and streams carved deep valleys and gorges, while weathering and the action of glaciers further sculpted the landscape. The range also experienced periods of uplift and subsidence, which influenced its overall shape and elevation.
During the last ice age, which occurred around 20,000 years ago, the Great Dividing Range was covered by glaciers. These glaciers helped to shape the landscape further, creating cirques, moraines, and other glacial landforms.
Today, the Great Dividing Range is characterized by a diverse range of geological features, including steep escarpments, deep valleys, and plateaus. It is home to numerous national parks and is an important water catchment area for many rivers and streams that flow into the surrounding coastal plains.
In summary, the geological history of the Great Dividing Range in Australia involves the tectonic forces that led to its initial formation, volcanic activity that contributed to its uplift, erosion that shaped its landscape, and glacial activity that further modified its features.