Volcanic Environment of Western Victoria
Contents
Introduction
The Western plains of Victoria formed expansive grassland in south eastern part of Australia. Stretching all the way from Melbourne to Portland, the plain is mostly flat and used widely for agriculture. Dairy farms, livestock, and vineyards are all examples of agriculture types found in the region. Major population centers in the region include Camperdown, Hamilton, Portland and Colac. The explorer Major Mitchell described this place as “a region more extensive than Great Britain, equally rich in point of soil, and which now lies ready for the plow in many regions, as if especially prepared by the creator for the industrious hands of Englishmen. ”
Western Victoria volcanic plain is one of the three largest volcanic plains in the world in scale, covering the region between Melbourne and Portland, which is over 15000 km2. The signs of volcanic characteristics become apparent while driving west of Geelong, where some farms are littered with basalt. Scattered bluestone can be found around the area. Driving further west, walls built with volcanic rocks become more and more common. More than 400 vents of scoria volcanoes, marr volcanoes, composite volcanoes, shield volcanoes and fissure volcanoes are unevenly distributed in the area, with a few youngest ones in the state such as Mt. Napier. Other volcanic features such as stony rises, lava tubes/caves, tumulis, lava canals and natural bridges can all be found in this area.
The volcanoes are very significant to residents in the local region, as it bring fertile soil for agriculture and opportunities for other industries such as stone cutting or tourism. We can say that the local residents are dependent on the volcanoes. It is also an important volcano plain in Australia, as it is the largest volcanic plain in the country. Lots of studies are being done in this region every year and some volcanologists come from overseas as well. Therefore even on an
Introduction
The Western plains of Victoria formed expansive grassland in south eastern part of Australia. Stretching all the way from Melbourne to Portland, the plain is mostly flat and used widely for agriculture. Dairy farms, livestock, and vineyards are all examples of agriculture types found in the region. Major population centers in the region include Camperdown, Hamilton, Portland and Colac. The explorer Major Mitchell described this place as “a region more extensive than Great Britain, equally rich in point of soil, and which now lies ready for the plow in many regions, as if especially prepared by the creator for the industrious hands of Englishmen. ”
Western Victoria volcanic plain is one of the three largest volcanic plains in the world in scale, covering the region between Melbourne and Portland, which is over 15000 km2. The signs of volcanic characteristics become apparent while driving west of Geelong, where some farms are littered with basalt. Scattered bluestone can be found around the area. Driving further west, walls built with volcanic rocks become more and more common. More than 400 vents of scoria volcanoes, marr volcanoes, composite volcanoes, shield volcanoes and fissure volcanoes are unevenly distributed in the area, with a few youngest ones in the state such as Mt. Napier. Other volcanic features such as stony rises, lava tubes/caves, tumulis, lava canals and natural bridges can all be found in this area.
The volcanoes are very significant to residents in the local region, as it bring fertile soil for agriculture and opportunities for other industries such as stone cutting or tourism. We can say that the local residents are dependent on the volcanoes. It is also an important volcano plain in Australia, as it is the largest volcanic plain in the country. Lots of studies are being done in this region every year and some volcanologists come from overseas as well. Therefore even on an
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