The physical geography of Australia varies depending on which part of the continent you reside. There are a few mountains in Australia, one range in particular are the Blue Mountains (as mentioned in my previous blogs.) This mountain range encompasses the Jamison Valley. Jamison Valley is formed by fluvial erosion thus creating the oblique on the valleys so that water can drain within the valley.

Jamison valley holds waterfalls and kickpoints ultimately depicting a break in slope for a stream to try and reach equilibrium. These kickpoints are temporary and due to the rising land and will eventually even out and create a flattened slope instead of jagged waterfalls. This could lead to the base level falling of the valley which is called incision. Due to the fact that Jamison Valley lacks a long river flowing through it the idea that the stream eroded remains present. This happens when the stream's energy is greater than that required to transport the sediment

Over the next ten years there will be little noticeable change to Jamison Valley, but the process of falling and base levels rising will be taking its toll on the kick points and waterfalls within the valley. Although, over the next one hundred years the kick points and waterfalls will begin to flatten and create a slope like look (as depicted in the picture above to the right.) This is due to the eroding of the rock thus creating the base levels to fall and allow for a less jagged hill side filled with waterfalls and kick points. This process of erosion and deposition will continue throughout time thus riding the land of waterfalls and kick points over the newt one thousand years. 

Another aspect of Australia's landscape is it coastal region. The tides that are created off the coast of Australia are due to the moon's gravity. These tides create refraction which means energy is concentrated and spread out along the coast. Erosional landforms are created through weathering over many years.The erosion from the water creates wave-cut notches and sea stacks. The formation of the notches forces the land to erode ultimately riding the land of these rocks. Over the next one thousand years the rocky slope that border the coast of australia are going to erode into nothing creating a flat surface on the coast. 

The image below is of stratocumulus clouds. These clouds are cumulus clouds which means they are piled up and lumpy. The strata comes from the low level cloud classification which means they have a base of less than 2000 meters. 

The clouds in this picture (below) are called fair weather cumulus which means they are not clouds that collect precipitation before a storm. They are also cumulus because they are lumpy and piled up.

In this photo there is radiation fog which means the fog is close to the ground. When the ground chills air by conduction, dew point is reached and fog forms right above the ground. This is hazardous because it creates a thick, hazy air that prevents clear visibility especially while driving. 

In this photo (below) shows one state of water and that is liquid. In the ocean water is in its liquid form, but from heat the water turns into water vapor and evaporates into the air and forms clouds. This water vapor is gaseous and mostly invisible and compressible therefore it can be in any space like water, but is more compact.

MARIA ISLAND

Maria island is located in the state of Tasmania on the Southern most tip of Australia. 

Pictured here are rocks that have endured weathering thus creating joints and ridges on the rock's surface. Due to this breaking down of sandstone cracks or fissures, form from the contractional cooling and/or thermal expansion of the rock. This cooling and heating of the rock causes it to separate and crack causing joints to form.

This sedimentary rock has gone through the process of pressure release. This is a type of weathering where rocks form due to massive amounts of pressure leading to a speedy process of erosion creating pressure release shells to create the rock's slab like features. 

The hydrologic cycle circulates from the ocean to the air back to the ground creating a flow of water within the atmosphere. The ocean holds the largest portion of this water which is evaporated in the atmosphere creating precipitation that turns into groundwater. Groundwater flows into the cracks between the rocks and seeps into the ground giving moisture and life to plants and animals. 

The groundwater in this photo is called an aquiclude. This means the water is impermeable due to the lack of space between the rocks therefore inhibiting the flow of groundwater. This inhibition forces the water to sit on top of the rocks and evaporate back into the hydrologic cycle. 

Australia is known for its beautiful scenery, ranging from breath taking ocean views to magnificent mountain tops. The Blu Mountains in New South Wales, Australia happen to be one of those mountain tops.

The Blue Mountains (far away shot)

These mountains are formed from layers and layers of sedimentary rocks. The sedimentary layers that are deposited are called strata. Through the hardening of strata lithification begins. When these sedimentary rocks first start out, they are loosely arranged rocks that gradually compact together. After the compaction of these rocks they cement together to form hard layers; the process of lithification. 

The Blu Mountains (up close view of the layers of strata) 

   Sediments that formed The Blue Mountains were sandwich creates sandstone. After the strata hardens erosion begins to take place. Erosion breaks up rocks due to natural agents such as water. Folding begins due to the erosion of the Earth's surface. By the compression of the Earth's sedimentary rocks erosion occurs to create hills, mountains and ridges. When erosion begins there is an uplift of these rocks and another layer of strata forms. Then lithification begins again and another layer of rock is compacted then cemented together. Over time these layers build up and form mountains or other landmasses.

Through the processes of lithification, strata, folding and erosion beautiful mountains are formed like The Blue Mountains in Australia. 

Hey folks!! My name is Chelsea Stewart and I created this blog to illustrate some geographical forms and processes that encompass the continent of Australia. I chose to study the geography of Australia because it has been my dream for several years to vacation there and embrace all of the outdoor actives this magnificent country has to offer.

Over the course of this semester I hope to gain knowledge about Australia's geography so that when I finally get the opportunity to visit this continent I can fully embrace all that it has to offer.