Mount Kaputar EarthCache EarthCache

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It will take approximately 1 hour from Narrabri to the top

Mt Kaptar was formed over twenty-one million years ago when this part of the Indo-Australian plate drifted over a 'hot spot'. Where the molten rock below found a weakness in the crust and pushed through, this continued for about 4 million years at first near present day Killarney Gap. And the second occurring later began to build up around what is now Mt Kaputar.
 
There are 4 main types of volcanoes, Shield,  Stratovolcanoes, Lava domes, and Cinder cones
 
Shield volcanoes are usually built of low viscosity basaltic lavas that erupt in longer cycles than that of a stratovolcano
Stratovolcanoes are built up by the accumulation of thick, viscous lavas,
Cinder cones are constructed of tephra ejected in explosive eruptions
Lava domes are built from extremely thick lava which can't flow far from the vent
 
The Nandewar Range was formed by what is known as the Nandewar volcano. This volcano with gently sloping sides rises to a height of over 2100 m, 50 kilometres wide and erupting over 400 cubic kilometres of lava.
 
 
Lava flows consisted of interspersed layers and various intrusions of basalt and another lava type, trachytes. Trachyte is harder than the surrounding rock
 
Features common in the type of volcanism that formed this range include lava tubes. Lava tubes are cave-like volcanic straights formed by the hardening of overlaying lava. These structures help further the propagation of lava, as the walls of the tube insulates the lava within. Lava tubes can account for a large portion of this type of volcano activity; although no tubes are found on this range.
 
Time has eroded this volcano and produced a great variety of dramatic landscape features. As the various layers of lava have eroded at different rates.today, the Nandewar volcano is barely recognisable and is only a fraction of its original size but today you can still see 1/10th of NSW from this lookout.
 
In 1925 an area of 775 hectares around Mt Kaputar was proclaimed a Reserve for Public Recreation. Two years later the local shire council gave control over to the Mt Kaputar Trust, which was a group of very interested and dedicated local people. This group gave advice and guidance on management issues within the reserve.
 
In 1959 the reserve became Mt Kaputar National Park but remained under the management of the trust. In 1967 the park (14,244 hectares) came under control of the newly-established National Parks and Wildlife Service. A regional advisory committee now gives advice and guidance.
In 1965 two cabins were constructed providing accommodation at Dawsons Spring. A permanent water supply was provided and shower, toilet and picnic facilities built.
 
The unique animal within this park is a large pink slug, although little research has been done on invertebrates in Mt Kaputar National Park, the park is renowned for the large pink slugs in its subalpine area. The pink slug can be seen after rain on rocks, trees and amongst the leaf litter. Its bright colour is believed to be a form of camouflage as it matches the fallen red leaves of the eucalypts.