DOCSLIB.ORG

View Profile

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
View Profile Australia Australia is desert. The main mountain chain, the Great Dividing Range, runs down the east coast, rising to Australia’s highest point at Mt Kosciusko (2,230 metres). Consequently, many of the rivers draining to the east are short; those flowing to the west, of which the Murray–Darling river system is the most considerable, tend to flow only after heavy rains and end in lakes which are often dry with a salt-bed. Climate: The Tropic of Capricorn almost bisects the continent, running just north of Alice Springs, Australia’s central settlement. The subtropical areas north of this line have summer rainfall and dry winters. South of the Tropic, the rest of the continent and Tasmania are temperate. Continental considerations affect this basic pattern, most coastal areas having some rainfall, whereas a large tract of central Australia has annual rainfall of less than 300 mm. Drought and consequent bushfires are a serious problem. This pattern of rainfall will be dramatically affected by occasional La Niña events which occur in the central and eastern Pacific Ocean causing the sea to cool and increasing the probability that strong cool onshore winds The Commonwealth of Australia is a will bring heavy rains to the eastern regions KEY FACTS Federation with six states – New South Wales of Australia, as occurred from November Joined Commonwealth: 1931 (Statute of (state capital Sydney), Victoria (Melbourne), 2010, when there were devastating floods Westminster) Queensland (Brisbane), South Australia first in Queensland, then in Victoria. Population: 23,343,000 (2013) (Adelaide), Western Australia (Perth) and Environment: The most significant Tasmania (Hobart) – and two territories, GDP p.c. growth: 1.8% p.a. 1990–2013 environmental issues are soil erosion and Northern Territory (capital Darwin) and the UN HDI 2014: World ranking 2 desertification; loss of the natural habitat of Australian Capital Territory, where the federal many unique animal and plant species due to Official language: English capital, Canberra, is situated. Australia also increases in agricultural and industrial has external territories (described in the Time: GMT plus 8–11 hrs production; and damage to the Great Barrier profiles following this one). These have small Currency: Australian dollar (A$) Reef, the largest coral reef in the world, due populations or are uninhabited and, apart to increased shipping and tourism. from the vast Australian Antarctic Territory, Geography are small islands. Vegetation: A wide range, from the tropical jungle of Queensland to the sparse flowers of Area: 7,682,395 sq km Time: There are three time zones: western the desert, with many unique species which (GMT plus 8 hrs, and no change in summer); Coastline: 25,800 km evolved in the continent’s long geological central (GMT plus 9.5 hrs, no change in Capital: Canberra isolation. Over 700 species of eucalyptus and summer in Northern Territory, and GMT plus close to 1,000 species of acacia (wattle). The The term ‘Australia’ is derived from Terra 10.5 hrs October–March in South Australia); main fertile areas are in the south and east in Australis , the name given to a southern and north-east/south-east (GMT plus 10 hrs, New South Wales and Victoria – arable land landmass whose existence geographers and in all eastern states except Queensland, comprises six per cent of the total land area, deduced before it was discovered. Papua GMT plus 11 hrs October–March). while the north-east has tropical forest and New Guinea (to the north) and New Zealand Area: 7,682,395 sq km including the State of bush – forest covers 16 per cent of the (to the east) are Australia’s closest Tasmania and some smaller island territories. country. neighbours. To the south lie the Southern Ocean and Antarctica. It is one of 28 island Topography: Australia is the largest link in Wildlife: Many indigenous animal species are nations in the Commonwealth; the mainland the chain running between South-East Asia unique to the continent. The most distinctive of Australia is the largest island in the world. and the South Pacific. Much of central are the marsupials, of which there are 120 THE COMMONWEALTH YEARBOOK 2015 Australia species from the kangaroo to the tiny desert languages are Italian, Greek, Cantonese, For every 1,000 people there are 443 mouse, and the monotremes, the rare order Arabic and Mandarin (2006 census). landlines, 1,068 mobile phone subscriptions of mammals which lay eggs, such as the and 830 internet users (2013). Religion: Mainly Christians (Roman Catholics duck-billed platypus and the echidna. There 26 per cent, Anglicans 19 per cent), small Public holidays: New Year’s Day, Australia are also several species of flightless birds – minorities of Buddhists, Muslims, Hindus and Day (26 January), ANZAC Day (25 April), the emu, second only to the African ostrich in Jews (2006 census). Queen’s Official Birthday (Monday in early size, and the cassowary. Some 55 mammal June), Labour Day (early October in most species and 47 bird species are thought to be Health: Public spending on health was six states, otherwise in March), Christmas Day endangered (2014). per cent of GDP in 2012. Health facilities are and Boxing Day. States have additional public a responsibility of the states, although the Main towns: Canberra (capital, Australian holidays. federal government administers the Medicare Capital Territory, pop. 356,586 in 2011), insurance scheme, introduced in 1984. There Religious and other festivals whose dates vary Sydney (New South Wales, 3.9m), Melbourne are 18 medical schools in Australia (2014). from year to year include Good Friday and (Victoria, 3.7m), Brisbane (Queensland, Infant mortality was three per 1,000 live Easter Monday. 1.87m), Perth (Western Australia, 1.62m), births in 2013 (20 in 1960). Adelaide (South Australia, 1.1m), Gold Coast – Tweed Heads (Queensland, 533,659), Education: Public spending on education Economy Newcastle (New South Wales, 308,307), was 5.1 per cent of GDP in 2011. KEY FACTS 2013 Responsibility for education lies with the Hobart (Tasmania, 204,951) and Darwin GNI: US$1,524.3bn (Northern Territory, 78,467). states and education systems vary. There are 11 years of compulsory education starting at GNI p.c.: US$65,520 Transport: There are 825,500 km of roads, the age of five. The school year starts in GDP growth: 2.4% p.a. 2009–13 44 per cent paved; Australian road design is January. known for the long, straight roads in rural Inflation: 2.5% p.a. 2009–13 There are 39 universities with more than one areas. Some roads may be impassable after Australia has a high degree of prosperity, million students enrolled, 37 of which are heavy rain. based on its wealth of natural resources, public institutions (2013). The female–male Rail services link main towns across the policies of redistribution and welfare, and ratio for gross enrolment in tertiary education country and the total system extends to stable democratic society. Its economy is is 1.40:1 (2010). There is virtually no illiteracy 8,615 km. The 4,000 km Indian Pacific from among the largest in the world, ranking 19th among people aged 15–24. Sydney to Perth takes three days. The 3,000 in terms of GDP (PPP) in 2014 (IMF, April km north–south line, linking Adelaide in the In 1971 Australia hosted the Fifth 2015). Significant minerals include south with Alice Springs in the centre and Conference of Commonwealth Education aluminium, coal, copper, diamonds, gold, Darwin in the north was completed in 2003. Ministers in Canberra. Commonwealth iron, nickel, oil and gas, silver, tin, titanium, Education Ministers meet every three years uranium and zinc. Proven reserves of oil were The country has 25,800 km of coastline and to discuss issues of mutual concern and estimated in January 2014 to be 4.0 billion many deep-water harbours. interest. barrels, and of gas, 3.7 trillion cubic metres. International airports are at Sydney, Adelaide, Media: Newspapers have a high circulation Melbourne, Perth, Darwin, Brisbane, Hobart, rate throughout the country. National dailies Real growth in GDP Townsville and Cairns. are The Australian and Australian Financial % 4.0 Review . Regional newspapers include The % 3.5 Society Advertiser (Adelaide), The Age (Melbourne), KEY FACTS 2013 The Courier-Mail (Brisbane), The Daily 3.0 Telegraph (Sydney), Herald-Sun (Melbourne), 2.5 Population per sq km: 3.0 The Sydney Morning Herald and The West 2.0 g Life expectancy: 82 years Australian (Perth). 1.5 Net primary enrolment: 97% The Australian Broadcasting Corporation 1.0 Population: 23,343,000 (2013); density is (ABC) operates national and regional public one of the lowest in the world; 89 per cent radio and TV stations. The Special 0.5 0.0 of people live in urban areas and 58 per cent Broadcasting Service is the other principal 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 in urban agglomerations of more than one public broadcaster, running radio and TV million people; growth 1.4 per cent p.a. networks that broadcast in many languages. 1990–2013; birth rate 13 per 1,000 people Pay TV networks are widely used, and digital Inflation (20 in 1970); life expectancy 82 years (71 in TV is available via satellite and cable. % 3.5 1970); life expectancy in the Aboriginal Some 99 per cent of households have TV sets 3.0 population about 62 years. (2007). There are 820 personal computers 2.5 People of Asian origin comprise 8.7 per cent per 1,000 people (2012). 2.0 of the population, and Aboriginal or Torres Communications: Country code 61; internet Strait Island peoples 2.5 per cent. Some 70 domain ‘.au’. Payphones are red, green, gold 1.5 per cent of people were born in Australia or blue.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Australian Way October Spirit of Australia
    Spirit Not just OF AUSTRALIA THE LARAPINTA TRAIL is not for the faint-hearted. an open kitchen, long dining table and comfortable couches. A 223km bushwalk through Central Australia’s West MacDonnell The hubs are positioned so they embrace the campfire – which is National Park, it offers challenges and rewards, drawing trekkers a quintessential part of any outback camping experience. along high, stony ridges radiating desert heat before ducking down The campsite closest to Alice Springs, near Simpsons Gap, is a walk in the park into cool, cycad-filled oases such as Standley Chasm. known as Nick Murcutt’s Camp. Near Serpentine Chalet, Charlie’s For some, tackling the trail became a bit more comfortable this Camp honours the late company guide, Charlie Holmes, who The pygmy possum, the northern corroboree frog, prehistoric pine year. As trekking season opened, World Expeditions showed off found the campsite, which is a short drive from ochre pits used by a remarkable new look for its two semipermanent campsites tucked the Western Arrernte people for thousands of years for medicinal, trees, “lost cities” and deep pink lakes – Australia’s 500-plus national parks within the park. The late Sydney architect Nick Murcutt and his religious and decorative purposes. yield beauty and secrets beyond compare. And a wealth of eco-adventure partner, Rachel Neeson, designed striking communal hubs for the Those returning from a hard day’s hike can now collapse on the minimal-impact campsites, that can be packed down when each couch and examine their blisters while guides cook them a dinner experiences, as this update of our parkland inventory – from the Indian Ocean hiking season is over.
    [Show full text]
  • NSW Vagrant Bird Review
    an atlas of the birds of new south wales and the australian capital territory Vagrant Species Ian A.W. McAllan & David J. James The species listed here are those that have been found on very few occasions (usually less than 20 times) in NSW and the ACT, and are not known to have bred here. Species that have been recorded breeding in NSW are included in the Species Accounts sections of the three volumes, even if they have been recorded in the Atlas area less than 20 times. In determining the number of records of a species, when several birds are recorded in a short period together, or whether alive or dead, these are here referred to as a ‘set’ of records. The cut-off date for vagrant records and reports is 31 December 2019. As with the rest of the Atlas, the area covered in this account includes marine waters east from the NSW coast to 160°E. This is approximately 865 km east of the coast at its widest extent in the south of the State. The New South Wales-Queensland border lies at about 28°08’S at the coast, following the centre of Border Street through Coolangatta and Tweed Heads to Point Danger (Anon. 2001a). This means that the Britannia Seamounts, where many rare seabirds have been recorded on extended pelagic trips from Southport, Queensland, are east of the NSW coast and therefore in NSW and the Atlas area. Conversely, the lookout at Point Danger is to the north of the actual Point and in Queensland but looks over both NSW and Queensland marine waters.
    [Show full text]
  • Bird Vulnerability Assessments
    Assessing the vulnerability of native vertebrate fauna under climate change, to inform wetland and floodplain management of the River Murray in South Australia: Bird Vulnerability Assessments Attachment (2) to the Final Report June 2011 Citation: Gonzalez, D., Scott, A. & Miles, M. (2011) Bird vulnerability assessments- Attachment (2) to ‘Assessing the vulnerability of native vertebrate fauna under climate change to inform wetland and floodplain management of the River Murray in South Australia’. Report prepared for the South Australian Murray-Darling Basin Natural Resources Management Board. For further information please contact: Department of Environment and Natural Resources Phone Information Line (08) 8204 1910, or see SA White Pages for your local Department of Environment and Natural Resources office. Online information available at: http://www.environment.sa.gov.au Permissive Licence © State of South Australia through the Department of Environment and Natural Resources. You may copy, distribute, display, download and otherwise freely deal with this publication for any purpose subject to the conditions that you (1) attribute the Department as the copyright owner of this publication and that (2) you obtain the prior written consent of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources if you wish to modify the work or offer the publication for sale or otherwise use it or any part of it for a commercial purpose. Written requests for permission should be addressed to: Design and Production Manager Department of Environment and Natural Resources GPO Box 1047 Adelaide SA 5001 Disclaimer While reasonable efforts have been made to ensure the contents of this publication are factually correct, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources makes no representations and accepts no responsibility for the accuracy, completeness or fitness for any particular purpose of the contents, and shall not be liable for any loss or damage that may be occasioned directly or indirectly through the use of or reliance on the contents of this publication.
    [Show full text]
  • Bare Bedrock Erosion Rates in the Central Appalachians, Virginia
    W&M ScholarWorks Undergraduate Honors Theses Theses, Dissertations, & Master Projects 5-2009 Bare Bedrock Erosion Rates in the Central Appalachians, Virginia Jennifer Whitten College of William and Mary Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarworks.wm.edu/honorstheses Part of the Geology Commons Recommended Citation Whitten, Jennifer, "Bare Bedrock Erosion Rates in the Central Appalachians, Virginia" (2009). Undergraduate Honors Theses. Paper 326. https://scholarworks.wm.edu/honorstheses/326 This Honors Thesis is brought to you for free and open access by the Theses, Dissertations, & Master Projects at W&M ScholarWorks. It has been accepted for inclusion in Undergraduate Honors Theses by an authorized administrator of W&M ScholarWorks. For more information, please contact [email protected]. BARE BEDROCK EROSION RATES IN THE CENTRAL APPALACHIANS, VIRGINIA A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirement for the degree of Bachelors of Science in Geology from The College of William and Mary by Jennifer Whitten Accepted for ___________________________________ (Honors, High Honors, Highest Honors) ________________________________________ Gregory Hancock, Director ________________________________________ Christopher Bailey ________________________________________ James Kaste ________________________________________ Scott Southworth Williamsburg, VA April 30, 2009 Table of Contents Abstract......................................................................................................................................................3
    [Show full text]
  • Appendices, Glossary and Index
    7 Appendices Appendix A: Agency resourcing statement 2010–11 Appendix B: Portfolio Budget Statements reporting 2010–11 Appendix C: Ecologically sustainable development and environmental performance Appendix D: Freedom of information statement Appendix E: Compliance index Christmas Island red crabs. Photo: Parks Australia Appendix A: Agency Resourcing Statement 2010–11 The Agency Resourcing Statement was introduced to Portfolio Budget Statements in 2008–09 to provide information about the various funding sources that the Director of National Parks may draw upon during the year. The Director of National Parks is required to publish the Agency Resourcing Statement in the annual report that reconciles to cash reserves in the financial statements. Actual available Payments Balance appropriation Made Remaining $’000 $’000 $’000 Opening balance/Reserves at bank 38,353 – 38,353 REVENUE FROM GOVERNMENT Ordinary annual services¹ Outcome 1 – – – Total ordinary annual services – – – Other services² Non-operating 2,249 – 2,249 Total other services 2,249 – 2,249 Total annual appropriations 2,249 – 2,249 Payments from related entities3 Amounts from the portfolio department 46,444 46,444 (0) Total 46,444 46,444 (0) Total funds from Government 46,444 46,444 (0) FUNDS FROM OTHER SOURCES Interest 1,575 1,575 – Sale of goods and services 15,486 15,486 – Other 2,328 1,390 938 Total 19,389 18,451 938 Total net resourcing for DNP 106,435 64,895 41,540 All figures are GST exclusive As per the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 Section 514S, DSEWPaC is directly appropriated the Director of National Parks (DNP) appropriations, which is then allocated to the DNP by the Secretary.
    [Show full text]
  • Sedimentological Constraints on the Initial Uplift of the West Bogda Mountains in Mid-Permian
    www.nature.com/scientificreports OPEN Sedimentological constraints on the initial uplift of the West Bogda Mountains in Mid-Permian Received: 14 August 2017 Jian Wang1,2, Ying-chang Cao1,2, Xin-tong Wang1, Ke-yu Liu1,3, Zhu-kun Wang1 & Qi-song Xu1 Accepted: 9 January 2018 The Late Paleozoic is considered to be an important stage in the evolution of the Central Asian Orogenic Published: xx xx xxxx Belt (CAOB). The Bogda Mountains, a northeastern branch of the Tianshan Mountains, record the complete Paleozoic history of the Tianshan orogenic belt. The tectonic and sedimentary evolution of the west Bogda area and the timing of initial uplift of the West Bogda Mountains were investigated based on detailed sedimentological study of outcrops, including lithology, sedimentary structures, rock and isotopic compositions and paleocurrent directions. At the end of the Early Permian, the West Bogda Trough was closed and an island arc was formed. The sedimentary and subsidence center of the Middle Permian inherited that of the Early Permian. The west Bogda area became an inherited catchment area, and developed a widespread shallow, deep and then shallow lacustrine succession during the Mid- Permian. At the end of the Mid-Permian, strong intracontinental collision caused the initial uplift of the West Bogda Mountains. Sedimentological evidence further confrmed that the West Bogda Mountains was a rift basin in the Carboniferous-Early Permian, and subsequently entered the Late Paleozoic large- scale intracontinental orogeny in the region. The Central Asia Orogenic Belt (CAOB) is the largest accretionary orogen on Earth, which was formed by the amalgamation of multiple micro-continents, island arcs and accretionary wedges1–5.
    [Show full text]
  • A Geomorphic Classification System
    A Geomorphic Classification System U.S.D.A. Forest Service Geomorphology Working Group Haskins, Donald M.1, Correll, Cynthia S.2, Foster, Richard A.3, Chatoian, John M.4, Fincher, James M.5, Strenger, Steven 6, Keys, James E. Jr.7, Maxwell, James R.8 and King, Thomas 9 February 1998 Version 1.4 1 Forest Geologist, Shasta-Trinity National Forests, Pacific Southwest Region, Redding, CA; 2 Soil Scientist, Range Staff, Washington Office, Prineville, OR; 3 Area Soil Scientist, Chatham Area, Tongass National Forest, Alaska Region, Sitka, AK; 4 Regional Geologist, Pacific Southwest Region, San Francisco, CA; 5 Integrated Resource Inventory Program Manager, Alaska Region, Juneau, AK; 6 Supervisory Soil Scientist, Southwest Region, Albuquerque, NM; 7 Interagency Liaison for Washington Office ECOMAP Group, Southern Region, Atlanta, GA; 8 Water Program Leader, Rocky Mountain Region, Golden, CO; and 9 Geology Program Manager, Washington Office, Washington, DC. A Geomorphic Classification System 1 Table of Contents Abstract .......................................................................................................................................... 5 I. INTRODUCTION................................................................................................................. 6 History of Classification Efforts in the Forest Service ............................................................... 6 History of Development .............................................................................................................. 7 Goals
    [Show full text]
  • The Convention on Wetlands (Ramsar, Iran 1971) Framework for the Protection, Conservation and Wise Use of Coral Reefs Australia's Experience
    The Convention on Wetlands (Ramsar, Iran 1971) Framework for the protection, conservation and wise use of coral reefs Australia's experience Report prepared by Environment Australia in conjunction with the Ramsar Bureau for: Regional Symposium ICRI Coral Reefs in the Pacific: Status and Monitoring, Resources and Management Noumea 22-24 May 2000; and ICRI Coordination and Planning Committee Noumea, 25-26 May 2000. The convention on wetlands (Ramsar, Iran 1971) Background In 1971, in the Iranian town of Ramsar, representatives from 18 countries signed one of the world's first global environmental treaties, a Convention to protect wetland ecosystems. The Convention on Wetlands, also known as the Ramsar Convention, provides a framework for national action and international cooperation for the conservation and wise use of wetlands and their resources. There are presently 119 Contracting Parties to the Convention, with 1023 wetland sites, totalling almost 75 million hectares, designated for inclusion in the Ramsar List of Wetlands of International Importance (As of 30 April 2000). Australia was one of the first signatories to the Convention and listed the first wetland site, the Cobourg Peninsula Aboriginal Land and Wildlife Sanctuary in the Northern Territory. Under the text of the Convention, wetlands are broadly defined as: «areas of marsh, fen, peat/and or water, whether natural or artificial, permanent or temporary, ~vith water that is static or flowing, fresh, brackish or salt, including areas of marine water the depth of which at low tide does not exceed six metres». In addition, the Convention provides that wetlands: «may incorporate riparian and coastal zones adjacent to the wetlands, and islands or bodies of marine water deeper than six metres at low tide lying within the wetlands».
    [Show full text]
  • Geologic Systems
    © Jones & Bartlett Learning, LLC © Jones & Bartlett Learning, LLC NOT FOR SALE OR DISTRIBUTION NOT FOR SALE OR DISTRIBUTION © Jones & Bartlett Learning, LLC © Jones & Bartlett Learning, LLC NOT FOR SALE OR DISTRIBUTION NOT FOR SALE OR DISTRIBUTION © Jones & Bartlett Learning, LLC © Jones & Bartlett Learning, LLC NOT FOR SALE OR DISTRIBUTION NOT FOR SALE OR DISTRIBUTION © Jones & Bartlett Learning, LLC © Jones & Bartlett Learning, LLC NOT FOR SALE OR DISTRIBUTION NOT FOR SALE OR DISTRIBUTION © Jones & Bartlett Learning, LLC © Jones & Bartlett Learning, LLC NOT FOR SALE OR DISTRIBUTION NOT FOR SALE OR DISTRIBUTION © Jones & Bartlett Learning, LLC © Jones & Bartlett Learning, LLC NOT FOR SALE OR DISTRIBUTION NOT FOR SALE OR DISTRIBUTION Geologic Systems © Jones & Bartlett2 Learning, LLC © Jones & Bartlett Learning, LLC NOT FOR SALE OREarth DISTRIBUTION is a dynamic planet because the materialsNOT of its various FOR SALElayers are OR in motion. DISTRIBUTION The effects of both the hydrologic and the tectonic systems are dramatically expressed in this space photograph of eastern North America. The most obvious motion is that of the surface fluids: air and water. The complex cycle by which water moves from the oceans into the atmosphere, to the land, and back to the oceans again is the fundamental movement within the hydrologic system. The energy source that drives© Jones this system & Bartlett is the Sun. Learning, Its energy evaporates LLC water from the oceans© andJones causes & Bartlett Learning, LLC the atmosphereNOT to circulate,FOR SALE as shown OR above DISTRIBUTION by the swirling clouds of hurricane Dennis.NOT Water FOR SALE OR DISTRIBUTION vapor is carried by the circulating atmosphere and eventually condenses to fall as rain or snow, which gravity pulls back to Earth’s surface.
    [Show full text]
  • Geology of the Central and Northern Parts of the Western Cascade Range in Oregon
    Geology of the Central and Northern Parts of the Western Cascade Range in Oregon GEOLOGICAL SURVEY PROFESSIONAL PAPER 449 Prepared in cooperation with the State of Oregon, Departtnent of Geology and Mineral Industries Geology of the Central and Northern Parts of the Western Cascade Range in Oregon By DALLAS L. PECK, ALLAN B. GRIGGS, HERBERT G: SCHLICKER, FRANCIS G. WELLS, and HOLLIS M. DOLE ·~ GEOLOGICAL SURVEY PROFESSIONAL PAPER 449 Prepared in cooperation with the State of Oregon, Department of Geology and Mineral Industries ,... UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE, WASHINGTON : 1964 UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR STEWART L. UDALL, Secretary GEOLOGICAL SURVEY Thomas B. Nolan, Director . -~ The U.S. Geological Survey Library catalog card for this publication appears after page 56. For sale by the Superintendent of Documents,. U.S. Government Printing Office · · ·. Washington, D.C. 20402 CONTENTS Page Page Stratigraphy-Continued 1 Abstract------------------------------------------- Sardine Formation-Continued Introduction ______ --------------------------------- 2 Lithology and petrography-Continued Scope of investigation ______ - ___ - __ -------------- 2 Location, accessibility, and culture __ -------------- 2 Pyroclastic rocks __________ -- __ ---------'-- 33 Physical features ______ --_---_-_- ___ -----_------- 3 Age and correlation ____ - _--- __ -------------- 34 Climate and vegetation ___ --- ___ - ___ -----_------- 4 Troutdale Formation _____ ------------------------ 35 Fieldwork and reliability of the geologic
    [Show full text]
  • Uplift of Earth's Crust
    Standards—7.3.4: Explain how heat flow and movement of material within Earth causes earthquakes and vol- canic eruptions and creates mountains and ocean basins. 7.3.7: Give examples of some changes in Earth’s surface that are abrupt, such as earthquakes and volcanic eruptions, and some changes that happen very slowly, such as uplift and wearing down of mountains and the action of glaciers. Also covers: 7.2.7 (Detailed standards begin on page IN8.) Uplift of Earth’s Crust Building Mountains One popular vacation that people enjoy is a trip to the mountains. Mountains tower over the surrounding land, often providing spectacular views from their summits or from sur- I Describe how Earth’s mountains rounding areas. The highest mountain peak in the world is form and erode. Mount Everest in the Himalaya in Tibet. Its elevation is more I Compare types of mountains. than 8,800 m above sea level. In the United States, the highest I Identify the forces that shape mountains reach an elevation of more than 6,000 m. There are Earth’s mountains. four main types of mountains—fault-block, folded, upwarped, and volcanic. Each type forms in a different way and can pro- The forces inside Earth that cause duce mountains that vary greatly in size. Earth’s plates to move around also are responsible for forming Earth’s Age of a Mountain As you can see in Figure 11, mountains mountains. can be rugged with high, snowcapped peaks, or they can be rounded and forested with gentle valleys and babbling streams.
    [Show full text]
  • Present-Day Surface Deformation of the Alpine Region Inferred from Geodetic Techniques
    Discussions Earth Syst. Sci. Data Discuss., https://doi.org/10.5194/essd-2018-19 Earth System Manuscript under review for journal Earth Syst. Sci. Data Science Discussion started: 6 March 2018 c Author(s) 2018. CC BY 4.0 License. Open Access Open Data Present-day surface deformation of the Alpine Region inferred from geodetic techniques Laura Sánchez1, Christof Völksen2, Alexandr Sokolov1,2, Herbert Arenz1, Florian Seitz1 5 1Technische Universität München, Deutsches Geodätisches Forschungsinstitut (DGFI-TUM), Arcisstr. 21, 80333 München, Germany 2Bayerische Akademie der Wissenschaften, Erdmessung und Glaziologie, Alfons-Goppel-Str. 11, 80539 München, Germany Correspondence to: Laura Sánchez ([email protected]) 10 Abstract. We provide a present-day surface-kinematics model for the Alpine region and surroundings based on a high-level data analysis of about 300 geodetic stations continuously operating over more than 12 years. This model includes a deformation model, a continuous surface-kinematic (velocity) field, and a strain field consistently assessed for the entire Alpine mountain belt. Special care is given to the use of the newest GNSS processing standards to determine high-precise 3D station coordinates. The coordinate solution refers to the reference frame 15 IGb08, epoch 2010.0. The mean precision of the station positions at the reference epoch is ±1.1 mm in N and E and ±2.3 mm in height. The mean precision of the station velocities is ±0.2 mm/a in N and E and ±0.4 mm/a in the height. The deformation model is derived from the pointwise station velocities using a geodetic least-squares collocation approach with empirically determined covariance functions.
    [Show full text]