Great Dividing Range EarthCache EarthCache
Great Dividing Range EarthCache
-
Difficulty:
-
-
Terrain:
-
Size: 
(other)
Please note Use of geocaching.com services is subject to the terms and conditions
in our disclaimer.
The aim of this EarthCache is to learn about the geological and geographic make up of the Great Dividing Range. Once you reach the coordinates you are required to answers some questions and take a photo to be attached to your log.
The Great Dividing Range is one of Australia's most important geographical features. It divides the east coast from the inland and has a major influence on the climate along the eastern part of Australia. It’s the fourth longest mountain range in the world stretching for more than 3500Km. It is home to an amazing array of plants and animals that don't exist anywhere else on earth. It’s the source of some of the longest rivers and highest mountains on the Australian continent. It’s one of Australia’s most important sources of water, supplying water to major projects such as the Snowy Mountains Scheme, Upper Nepean Scheme and Warragamba Dam. The Great Dividing Range includes areas such as the Atherton Tableland and Darling Downs in Queensland, and the Northern Tablelands, Central Tablelands, Southern Tablelands and Southern Highlands in New South Wales and the Australian Alps in both New South Wales and Victoria. The Dandenong Ranges, Bunya Mountains, Blue Mountains, Liverpool Range, McPherson Ranges and the Moonbi Range are some of the smaller spurs and ranges that make up the greater dividing range.
The range runs parallel to the east coast of Australia, from Cape York in the North to Western Victoria in the south. Tasmania, Australia's island state which lies even further south, is also a part of this massive and ancient mountain range.
The Great Dividing Range has its origins many millions of years ago when the continents of earth were fused together as the Gondwana land mass. A huge uplift in the earth's crust occurred over millions of years, during the Pliocene and the Pleistocene Epochs (between 5.4 million to 10,000 years ago). This was just after the extinction of the dinosaurs and during the time that modern humans first appeared.
As the ranges eroded over millions of years, the high mountain tops became islands. Populations of animal species which used to live across large areas became concentrated on the mountains and groups became isolated from each other. Over many thousands of years, this isolation meant that species evolved independently and this led to many variations in species.
The ranges are also home to some amazing species of animals and plants that are survivors of Gondwana. The Wollemi Pine, recently found growing in a gorge of the Blue Mountains, is a living dinosaur of the plant world.
To log this cache you must perform the following tasks:
Please be careful while at the listed coordinates. The location is very close to Jenolan Caves Rd which can be busy at times.
** Message me under my profile answers to the following questions: **
1) At the listed coordinates find the white sign and email me exactly what it says.
2) At the listed coordinates measure the altitude with your GPS and email me the answer.
3) At the listed coordinates describe the Great Dividing Range. Are you standing on a mountain, plateau, rolling hills, tableland, valley, gorge or a combination of these?
4) The Great Dividing Range is the __?____ longest mountain range in the world.
In your log post a photo of yourself or group holding your GPS :
1) Somewhere along Jenolan Caves Road showing the Great Dividing Range behind you, preferably showing a geological feature.
AND / OR
2) In front of the white sign at the posted coordinates. Please take care. Do not stand on or close to the road while taking the photo.
There is no need to wait for a confirmation to log this Earthcache. I read all messages and emails to verify the correct information was sent and will contact you if there are any problems with your answers. Likewise, there is no need to email me photos. Just upload any photos with your log. If both tasks are not completed within a timely manner of logging your cache online your log will be deleted.
Additional Hints
(No hints available.)