Map
`
Ebor sits at a natural bridge between the great escarpment which drops away to the east and the great gash of the Guy Fawkes River gorge, which starts here. It links the tableland country around Armidale and Guyra with the Dorrigo plateau which projects out towards Coffs Harbour and with the upper Clarence Valley which lies at the base of the tumbled ridges to the north east.
At a cool 1300 metres, Ebor sees snow most winters and crisp summers.
The oldest geological feature linked to this spot is the Demon Fault line, a 240 million year old crack in the landscape, which runs from Ebor north to Tenterfield. It occurred when a part of the continental plate slid north by about a kilometre, resulting in some of the more spectacular gorges of northern NSW.
Demon Fault Line
`
Ebor Falls tumbles over ledges of basalt formed by lava flows from the Ebor Volcano about 19 million years ago. This huge shield volcano was centred about 17 kilometres from here in New England National Park and was approxmately 45 kilometres in diameter.
The two falls plunge over two thick basalt layers which are separated by a narrow sedimentary band, providing evidence of repeated flows over a period of several million years. The top falls are 27 metres high and the lower falls 63 metres.
"Organ pipe" formations are formed as a result of vertical contraction cracks which develop when molten lava cools and shrinks. This process allows for the most efficient cooling. Weathering enlarges the vertical joints into cracks and fissures which create the typical organ pipe appearance.
`
TO LOG THIS CACHE EMAIL THE ANSWERS TO THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS TO THE CO (to be found at the top of the page). Some answers can be found on the information board. Feel free to log at the same time, we will get back to you if there's a problem. Please don't give answers in your log.
1. What did the Gumbaynggirr call the falls?
2. Why are the "organ pipe" hexagonal (six sided) column formations most commonly this shape?
Take a short walk to the viewing platform to see the spectacular Ebor Falls.
3. Continue west on the path to see the lower falls (from 80 metres onwards). Observe the basalt formations on the northern side of the lower falls. There are 2 distinct basalt formations, the smaller ones at the top at a different angle. Give your impression why this (entablature) took place?
4. Take a photo of a feature that is of the most interest to you, with yourself included as an option.
`
`
`