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This is the
Mt Warning -
Tweed Volcano
activity page of
Matthew Flinders Coastal
Landform Site

Site:
Mt Warning [Tweed Volcano]  (NSW)
SUGGESTED STUDENT ACTIVITIES
for further research, oral reporting and classroom discussion

Note: The teacher is to explain each nominated activity to students, matching it to student level and ability


back to Mt Warning - Tweed Volcano info page

SOUND

 naval cannon
EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITIES
This page contains learning activities on the topics following.
Suggested year levels and subject areas for Queensland are included (although activities may be modified by teacher to suit other year levels).
With time these activities will be matched to SOSE Outcomes
Activities
   A. volcanic geomorphology  (Yrs 9-12 Geog, Yrs 9-10 SOSE)
   B. recreation, shipping, water quality  (Yrs 7-12 Geog, Yrs 7-10 SOSE)
   C. lighthouse function / history  (Hist 7-10, Yrs 6-10 SOSE)
   D. volcanic geomorphology-geology  (Yrs 9-12 Geog, Yrs 9-10 SOSE)
   E. Mt Warning significance  (Yrs 7-10 Geog, Yrs 6-10 SOSE)
   F. World Heritage values  (Yrs 10-12 Geog, Yr 10 SOSE)
   G. Issue: environment versus employment  (Yrs 10-12 Geog, Yr 10 SOSE)

 

   Photo interpretation

A.1  The boulders in Photo A appear to be rounded. How did this happen?

A.2  The hand sample of basalt (Photo B) was photographed in the Lamington National Park. Where is Lamington National Park? Is it part of the Tweed Volcano? What has caused the numerous holes in the sample shown?

A.3   Much of the original Tweed Volcano has been removed by erosion (leaving the plug, Mt Warning, the Tweed Valley, and surrounding ranges). Can you identify the main agent of erosion at work here?
A.4  Examine a map of Mt Warning area. What do you notice about the pattern of streams in the area? What is this type of drainage called? 


Photo 1A: Creek bed, Tweed Valley
Photo 1B: Basalt, Lamington Nat Park
Photo 1C: Mt Warning and Tweed Valley 



   Photo interpretation / research

Read the text right (above Photo 8)

B.1  Which organisations control amateur and professional fishing in Australia (or in a state)? Do these organisations have an environmental viewpoint? If so, what are some of their policies and aims? Do these organisations carry out actions that help to achieve their aims?

B.2  What organisation controls board surfing in Australia (or in a state)? Does this organisation have an environmental viewpoint? If so, what are some of its policies and aims? Does this organisation carry out actions that help to achieve its aims? 



  Two favourite outdoor recreations of Australians are shown;
fishing and surfing (see photo, below). The headland offers suitable
 locations for both pursuits. However, both activities are only
worthwhile if environmental standards are high.

Fishing and surfing are more enjoyable and safer in water that
is free from pollution and contaminants (i.e. clean water).
In general, most fishing, surfing and swimming along
Australia's south-east coast occurs in high quality waters


Photo 2: Fingal Head, fishing and surfing activities


B.3  What regulations must be obeyed by boats and ships in international and Australian waters in regard to maintaining water quality? How far from the coastline is shipping subject toAustralian law?
[ Hint: Consider both fuel spills and waste dumped into the sea.]  

B.4  What were the toilet arrangements on a ship of two hundred years ago, such as the Investigator. In what ways would we regard this unsatisfactory today? 


   Research

C.1  The photo shows a modern 'lighthouse'. Try to find out how a modern shipping light works (light source, energy source, range of lamp). 

C.2  How did lighthouses differ 200 years ago (ie. about Flinders' time)? Can you find out where Australia's oldest functioning lighthouse is located, and what is its age?

C.3  Point Danger is on the border of NSW and Qld. Here it is possible to stand in two states at once. Who named it Point Danger? Why was it given this name?


Point Danger Lighthouse

Photo 3: Shipping Light, Point Danger,
Tweed Heads, NSW / Coolangatta, Qld



   Research

D.1  What is the estimated height of the original Tweed Volcano? What would have happened on its upper slopes during times of low global temperatures? Could this have occured during the recent glacial episodes (of the Pleistocene)?

D.2  Are you able to name any other well-known shield volcanoes? Where are they? 

D.3  How might the original height of Mt Warning have been calculated?

D.4  Challenge Question
In general, which rock type forms the largest volume of a shield volcano? Is this rock of a type known to have formed from viscous or non-viscous lava? Could this rock be either trachyte or rhyolite? Explain your answer. 




Photo 4: Mt Warning, Tweed Valley, and Border Ranges (from the air)



   Research

   Mt Warning may well hold a special position in the Australian psyche. While it was named by Captain Cook for a good reason, it is now well known as offering people a 'special experience'. These people have to begin their hike to the summit very early in the day, in fact, so early in the day that it is still nightime! Their walk to the summit is lit by torchlight. 
E.1  What special experience are these people seeking?   
[ Clue: they are much more likely to go through this procedure on the first of January of a given year (but 1 January of the year 2000 was especially busy), or the morning of the winter solstice.]  
E.2  How is it that the Mt Warning summit is the place to go for this experience rather than Cape Byron, which is the most easternly point of Australia?


   Research

   Mt Warning and the other national parks and reserves of the region (i.e. NE NSW and SE Qld) are important for their natural features (geological, geomorphic, biological, ecological), as well as for their indigenous heritage. Together they have World Heritage listing, and are known collectively as CERRA. 
F.1  Can you find out what CERRA is, and in what area(s) is it found? In what specific ways are these CERRA sites important as World Heritage areas?

Only a small proportion of Australia is rainforest. Much of the original rainforest has been cleared, especially on coastal lowlands. Only a very small portion of Australia outside the tropical region is rainforest. Much of this is included in this World Heritage area. 
F.2  What are the figures for areas of: (a) forest in Australia, (b) rainforest in Australia, (c) sub-tropical and temperate rainforest in Australia, (d) proportion of different types of forest protected in national parks and World Heritage areas (including CERRA)?
F.3  Australia is regarded as a Western nation, possessing a Western culture. What does the term 'Western' signify, and in what way is it used to differentiate Western nations and cultures from other nations and cultures? Are there any other Western nations with areas of rainforest? Can you think of any significance in the fact that Australia, as a Western nation, has areas of rainforest? 
F.4  How have indigenous peoples regarded rainforests differently from (a) Western cultures, and (b) the modern-day loggers of the Developing nations? 


   Research

Some years ago a significant confrontation took place in state forest areas of north-east NSW. Various participating groups included conservationists, forestry workers, police, and others. The media coverage gained was seen as important by groups attempting to gain the sympathy and support of the broader population. Various acts took place that could even be termed 'criminal', with damage to equipment and arson occuring - in the 'name of the survival of the forests'.
G.1  See if you can find out about this event, the points-of-view of those participating, and how it was finally resolved. Compile a report (written or oral) on this topic, noting any ways you believe may have helped to deal with the situation in a 'better' way. 



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Site / Photos: (c) C.Grant 2002, 2003