Created From Chaos - Basalt Columns, Burnie Burnie, Tasmania, Australia
By 2y'stassies on 19-Dec-12. Waypoint GA5780

Volcanic activity has been the main determinant of the current landscape of North-West Tasmania. Weathering of the numerous lava flows has resulted in both the rich red soils so important to the agricultural industry and very prominent landforms.

Created From Chaos Geological Trail was a project implemented to highlight the impact of volcanic activity on the landscape of the North-West Coast. Sponsored by Rotary Clubs from the North-West Coast and the Government of Tasmania as part of the Bicentenary of Tasmania Celebrations in 2004, a number of information plaques were installed at locations of significant volcanic activity.

This series of caches takes you to some of these locations so that you may view the features, learn a little about the geological activity which led to their formation and gain an understanding of the significance of volcanic activity in the formation of the landscape of the North-West Coast.

At each of the locations you will be required to

• collect information to answer one or more questions
• take a photograph of the area including a prominent volcanic feature in the area (do not show the information plaque)
• email your answers to the questions to the cache owner

Do not log your find until approval is received.

Once approval has been received

• submit your "Found" log (but do not include answers to questions)
• upload your photo to the Gallery

Found logs which are not accompanied by a photo within two weeks will be deleted.

Basalt Columns, Burnie

The very distinctive basalt columns have been known and recorded since European settlement at Emu Bay. A great deal of controversy was created when plans were submitted for the nearby apartments as the original design both destroyed and covered much of this unique geology. The compromise was considerable redesign of the foundations of the apartment block so that the basalt columns remained visible and largely untouched.

1. In what type of basalt is the geometric columnar jointing?

2. What type of symmetry is shown by the basalt columns?

3. What object distorted the lava flow as it extruded from a nearby fault?

Please use the following link to email your answers to the questions to Created From Chaos. Remember to wait until approval is given before logging your find and uploading your photo.

A starting point for further information about the geology of Tasmania is available from the fact sheet Formation of Tasmania produced by the Tasmanian Parks and Wildlife Service.