Late Cainozoic glaciation and mountain geomorphology in the Central Highlands of Tasmania ...

• Main Author: Kiernan, K
• Format: Thesis
• Language: unknown
• Published: University Of Tasmania 2023
• Subjects: Gordon Valley; Ice cap
• Online Access: https://dx.doi.org/10.25959/23211500.v1; https://figshare.utas.edu.au/articles/thesis/Late_Cainozoic_glaciation_and_mountain_geomorphology_in_the_Central_Highlands_of_Tasmania/23211500/1

The broad topographic framework and erosion surface morphology of west central Tasmania predates the early Pleistocene. The valley systems, however, have been emphasised by glacial erosion which has played a major role in shaping the detailed geomorphology of the mountains. Part of an extensive ice cap that developed in the Tasmanian Central Highlands during the late Cainozoic discharged southwards via a major outlet glacier that occupied the valley of the Derwent River. The heart of the Central Tasmanian ice cap probably lay west of the Du Cane Range. When the ice cover was most extensive the Derwent Glacier was up to 500 metres thick. It may have extended to as low as 230 metres above sea level, 70 kilometres downstream from its source in the cirques of the Du Cane Range. Two diffluent lobes of this glacier spread eastwards to merge with other glaciers in the Nive Valley. Other diffluent lobes extended southwards into the upper Gordon Valley, and westwards into the upper Franklin and Alma valleys. At the ...