Barrington Volcano
| Barrington Volcano | |
|---|---|
  Barrington Volcano Location in New South Wales | |
| Elevation | 1,555 m (5,102 ft) |
| Listing | List of mountains of Australia |
| Location | |
| Location | Barrington Tops National Park, Australia |
| Range | Mount Royal Range |
| Coordinates | 32°2.411′S 151°24.234′E / 32.040183°S 151.403900°ECoordinates: 32°2.411′S 151°24.234′E / 32.040183°S 151.403900°E |
| Geology | |
| Type | Shield volcano |
| Age of rock | Eocene[1] |
The Barrington Volcano erupted near the present site of Mount Barrington between 44 and 54 million years ago. It caused a 700 cubic kilometre basalt flow, which covered much of the Barrington Tops plateau. The lava was up to one kilometre thick. The extensive rainforests in the area grow on much of the resultant red/brown soils.[1][2] Gemstones such as zircon, sapphire and ruby were formed from the volcano.[3] Nearby Careys Peak is considered a vent in this extinct shield volcano. The surrounding area is covered by sub alpine Snow Gum woodland, with rainforest on the escarpment edge and in fire free gullies.
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Johnson, R Wally. Intraplate Volcanism in Eastern Australia & New Zealand, page 123. Google Books. Retrieved 29 May 2012.
- ↑ New South Wales Rainforests - The Nomination for the World Heritage List, Paul Adam, 1987. ISBN 0 7305 2075 7, page 78
- ↑ F. L. Sutherland, C. M. Fanning. "Gem‐bearing basaltic volcanism". Barrington, New South Wales: Cenozoic evolution, based on basalt K–Ar ages and zircon fission track and U–Pb isotope dating. Australian Journal of Earth Sciences Vol. 48, Iss. 2, 2001. Retrieved 2 June 2012.
Snow Gums near Mt Barrington summit