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111 Cards in this Set
- Front
- Back
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What is aspect one about? |
The natural characteristics of a large natural environment |
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What is aspect two about? |
How elements and processes of the large natural environment interact |
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What is aspect three about? |
How the Tongariro environment has formed and changed over time |
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What is aspect four about? |
How people interact with the large natural environment |
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What is aspect five about? |
How perceptions of the large natural environment change over time |
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1 Where is the TVC located? |
Central North Island (NZ) at southern end of Taupo Volcanic zone where pacific plate is actively subducting beneath the Indo-Australian plate |
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1 What is the absolute location of the TVC? |
the TVC lies between 39 and 39.5 degrees south of the equator, between 50 - 100m from the sea and between 500-2,700m above sea level |
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1 Name the natural characteristics of the TVC |
Relief/landforms, climate, vegetation and soils |
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1 Landforms What are names and heights of three active cones in the area? |
The three active andesite cones of Ruapehu (2787m), Nguruhoe (2291m) and Tongariro (1968m), dominate the landscape |
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1 Landforms Describe Mount Ruapehu |
Mount Ruapehu is a wide and much broken Andesite volcano, with several high points spread irregularly around a deep crater that usually has a crater lake. It has rough sides which are quickly eroding |
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1 Landforms Describe the most recent Ruapehu eruption |
A recent eruption from Ruapehu, lasting for about two years (1995-97), was a continuous gas outflow carrying gas |
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1 Landforms Describe Andesite volcanoes |
They are produced by 'intermediate' magma, a mixture of silica-rich crustal rocks and mantle rocks. |
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1 Landforms Describe explosive Andesite eruptions |
Escaping gases shred molten Andesite rock into the air whilst producing towering ash clouds. |
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1 Landforms Describe quiet Andesite eruptions |
Andesitic lava oozes out from the crater in thick lava tongues |
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1 Landforms Explain the ring plain |
The ring plain is often referred to as the 'Apron' due to its shape. The ring plain is an area consisting of volcanic deposition from volcanic eruptions which have occurred, depositing ash over the surrounding countryside |
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1 Landforms Why are volcanoes in the TVC eroded? |
Because volcanic cones are usually high with steep slopes, they are easily and quickly eroded |
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1 Landforms What does the ring plain consist of? |
Loose ash and lava boulders are washed down lower slopes in the form of lahars. Deposits from lahars are a dominant component of the ring plain |
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1 Landforms How is evidence of explosions seen in the TVC? |
Evidence of past eruptions is easily seen when travelling along roads in the TVC. The formation of ash layers indicate when past eruptions have taken place. |
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1 Landforms Explain the landforms in the WESTERN FOOTHILLS |
Gentle slopes on the Western Foothills are made up of Moraine which is deposition from glaciers of the past. Lava/ash flows have also helped to form this landscape. |
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1 Landforms Explain the landforms in the WESTERN SLOPES |
Moderate slopes and deep V and U shaped valleys make up the western slopes. Old lava flows and areas of scree are evident further up. |
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1 Landforms Explain the landforms in the EASTERN ZONES |
Eastern zones consist of flatter land and gentler slopes which experience less rainfall, rivers and more ash deposits. The predominant westerly winds are significant and have influenced the direction of ash clouds, lava flows and lahars. Wind is the dominant agent of erosion here as it dries and erodes surfaces, leaving a bare appearance |
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1 Landforms Explain the landforms on the MOUNTAIN PEAKS |
The mountain peaks are dominated by snow and ice. Volcanic craters and crater lakes along with steep peaks and ridges shape these high regions. Glaciers originate from here and freeze-thaw action causes erosion that alters the appearance of the relief. |
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1 Climate What is the general trend of rainfall? |
Rainfall increases with altitude |
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1 Climate How much rainfall does Whakapapa receive per year? |
Whakapapa Village (Ruapehu) recieves 2,200 mm per year. |
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1 Climate How much rainfall does Ohakune (South) receive each year? |
1,250 mm per year |
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1 Climate How much rainfall does the Rangipo Desert receive per year? |
Over 1,500 mm per year |
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1 Climate Describe the trend of rainfall in the Western areas of the TVC |
At least half the days in the year bring rain to the western areas of the region. Orographic rainfall is prevailant in the western areas of the TVC. |
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1 Climate Why is there Orographic rainfall in the Western Areas of the TVC? |
The TVC is 50-100 km from the sea and prevailing westerly winds bring in moisture from the Tasman Sea. Moist air travels towards the slopes of the TVC and is forced to rise as it encounters the steep relief. As the air rises, it cool and condenses, turning it into rain. |
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1 Climate How much rain do the Western Areas experience each year? |
2,000 mm per year |
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1 Climate Give an example of a river in the Western Areas |
The Whangaehu River (Ruapehu) |
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1 Climate What is the general trend of wind in the TVC? |
Wind increases with altitude |
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1 Climate How does wind aid denudation in the TVC? |
Wind is an effective agent of denudation. Gales are frequent and severe on mountain tops and winds generally tend to be more predominant in high altitude regions. |
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1 Climate How do wind 'funnels' form in the TVC? |
As volcanoes are single relief features, winds funnel around their summits. This flow of air is accelerated through the Tama saddle, between Ruapehu and Ngauruhoe. |
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1 Climate How does the Tama Saddle winds effect the Rangipo desert? |
The flow of air through the Tama saddle make the areas on the eastern side to become a desert like environment. |
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1 Climate How do winds create relief features? |
Winds strip fine materials from bare dry surfaces and transport and deposit debris and fine silt particles |
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1 Climate How do winds aid in land building processes? |
Winds also distribute air borne ash during eruptions which is why ash content is greatest east of the mountains |
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1 Climate What is the general trend of temperature in the TVC? |
Temperature decreases 4*C with every 100 m in the TVC |
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1 Climate What is the average temperature at the Chateau? |
The average temperature at the Chateau (1119 m) is 7*C. Frosts, snow and ice feature regularly as a result. |
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1 Climate Why are southern slopes generally cooler? |
Southern slopes happen to be the coolest because they face away from the sun and are exposed to the cool southerly winds. |
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1 Vegetation How does vegetation affect the TVC? |
Plants play a vital role in the development of a landscape. They slow down the action of denudation processes and contribute to the development of soils |
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1 Vegetation How does good vegetation affect the TVC? |
Traps moisture and regulates the temperature of the ground Conserves moisture and prevents the land surface from drying out Develops soil Protects land from erosion |
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1 Vegetation Explain the vegetation in the WESTERN FOOTHILLS |
In the Western Foothills, there are Beech trees (up to 1,200m). The climate, relief and soils are suitable for such vegetation to prosper. Trees need moderately deeps soils to support roots and flatter slopes allow this. Wetter, warmer ares (in lower parts) have Podocarp forest. |
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1 Vegetation Explain the vegetation in the WESTERN SLOPES |
On the Western Slopes above the tree line is tussock which thins out toward the top to mosses, lichens and some hardy alpine including Hebe and mountain daisy. Due to the cool climate (5*C) and soils that thin out as the relief increases, it is not adequate conditions for trees to grow. |
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1 Vegetation Explain the vegetation on the EASTERN SLOPES |
On the Eastern Slopes, Desert scrub vegetation such as Tussock prevails. This area is in a rain shadow due to the Orographic rain pattern. This area sees only 1,000 mm of rainfall annually compared to 2,800 mm on the western slopes |
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1 Soils Ho do soils develop int he TVC? |
Soils in the area have developed mainly as a result of volcanic eruption and deposition of tephra or ash |
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1 Soils What is the general trend of soils in the TVC? |
The older the ash, the longer the tine for the soil to develop. |
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1 Soils Explain the soils on the WESTERN FOOTHILLS |
Deep but immature soils termed 'yellow-brown pumice soils' are evident. These soils are young because they have been affected by numerous volcanic eruptions which cause them to be acidic. |
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1 Soils Explain the soils on the WESTERN SLOPES |
Western slopes are thin and lacking basic nutrients. This is due to the Orographic rainfall (3000 mm pa). This rainfall washes away the minerals and nutrients so soil cannot build up. The cold climate also produces 'freeze thaw' which breaks down soils. |
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1 Soils Explain the soils on the EASTERN SLOPES |
They have very poor soils. This is due to hard crust layer formed from lava flows. Top soils struggle to develop here as extreme winds blow surface materials away. |
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1 Soils Explain the soils on the MOUNTAIN PEAKS |
Mountain Peaks experience extreme climatic conditions. Therefore soils and vegetation are not found above 2000 m. |
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2 How do Relief (Mountain Building) and vegetation interact at MID ALTITUDES? |
Fragile vegetation zones as... - plants grow slowly - slow soil development - vegetation holds moisture and prevents ground from drying - Moderate ground temperatures despite weather extremes |
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2 How does Relief (Mountain Building) and vegetation interact with ALPINE MOSS AND HERB FIELDS? |
- Range from 1500 to 2000 m - Isolated mosses and lichens at high altitudes - Daisy's and Snow-berries down slope - Hardy plants cluster together for protection - Slow growing and easily destroyed |
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2 How does Relief (Mountain Building) and vegetation interact with ALPINE SCRUB-LANDS? |
- Range from 1100 to 1600 m - Hebe and Inaka are hardy plants with dense spreading roots to offer soil protection |
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2 How does Relief (Mountain Building) and vegetation interact with LOW ALTITUDE VEGETATION? |
Climate improves down-slopes, scrubs become taller, replaced by tussock then beech forest. Forest canopy protects floor from winds and heavy rain. trees conserve heat, moisture and rotting to provide compost. |
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1 What is vegetation succession? |
Plant associations are frequently destroyed by eruptions. Plant life is forced to regenerate. |
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1 What is Climax vegetation? |
Several stages of vegetation growth are required before an environment can boast perfectly adjusted plant generation. |
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2 How do Relief (Mountain Building) and denudation processes interact with TEMPERATURES? |
Temperature decrease 4*C with every 1000 m. |
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2 How do Relief (Mountain Building) and denudation processes interact with GLACIATION? |
At high altitudes snow accumulation takes place over many years. The ice moves down due to gravity forming a glacier tongue. It freezes around rocks, dragging them down then melts as it continues downhill. Hence, U shaped valleys are formed |
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2 How do Relief (Mountain Building) and denudation processes interact with FREEZE-THAW (mass wasting)? |
Freeze thaw occurs when moisture gets positioned in soils and rock cracks and freezes at night. Rocks crack and soil surfaces become unstable. |
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2 How does Relief (Mountain Building) and denudation processes interact with WIND? |
Strip fine materials, transport and deposit debris. E.g. Sand dunes can be seen on Rangipo Desert where winds have deposited material from the prevailing westerly's and the Tama saddle |
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2 How does Relief (Mountain Building) and denudation processes interact with RAINFALL? |
Rainfall causes lahars which sweep down slopes collecting loose debris and depositing further down slopes. this also forms debris avalanches. |
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3 What is stage one? |
Early Formation |
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3 Stage one What occurred 200 million years ago? |
Pressure causing plate movement away from Gondwanaland. |
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3 Stage one What occurred 50 million years ago? |
New Zealand separated from Australia by the indo Australian plate moving. Soft greywacke rock folded to form the Kaimanawa Range. |
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3 What is stage two? |
Earth Building (Volcanic Activity) |
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3 Stage two What occurred two million years ago? |
Plate collisions resulted in the subduction of the Pacific plate under the indo Australian plate |
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3 Stage two What happened 300,000 to 250,000 years ago? |
Successive eruptions created strata volcanoes, Tongariro and Ruapehu |
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3 Stage two How is the age of volcanoes determined (directly/indirectly)? |
Directly - dating volcanic rocks Indirectly - detecting position in relation to surrounding non volcanic rocks |
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3 Stage two What can volcanism do? |
- build up mountains - create depressions (craters, pits to make lakes) - scatter/bury land with volcanic deposits - destroy/change vegetation patterns - act violently |
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3 Stage two Lava is a hot and semi-liquid body that flows into valleys - how does this affect where new and old lava is found? |
New lava is found in topographically lower positions than old lava that builds ridges and slopes |
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3 Stage two What happens when the outside of lava cools down but the inner parts are still moving? |
Rough, jaggered surfaces that solidify and pile up |
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3 Stage two What happened during the major Taupo eruption and further explosive eruptions? |
Showers of thick pumice onto the ring plain, debris avalanche down Whakapapa to beyond SH47, covering 23 square km |
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3 Stage two What happened 100,000 years ago? |
New phase of cone building (from Mitre Peak) Lava spread over 4 km squared Lahars extend to ring plain in W and SW Thick ash fall Smaller lahars on eastern ring plain |
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3 Stage two What happened 30-18,000 years ago? |
Proto-Ngauruhoe is formed Major Taupo eruption 25,000 years ago Ruapehu grew to 3,000 m |
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3 What is Stage 3? |
Earth modification |
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3 Stage three What three factors are shaping the TVC? |
Volcanism - mountain building ability Erosion - mainly climate and gravity Deposition - Ring plain around volcanoes |
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3 Stage three What happened 14,500 to 15,000 years ago? |
Ice age erodes cones as permanent snow drops to 1,500 m and glaciers move down mountains. Rivers become significant erosive agents. |
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3 Stage three What happened 10,000 years ago? |
Lava flows on Ruapehu were to the NW and E, with small scale ash eruptions and lahars at a later date. |
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3 Stage three What happened 4,500 - 3,500 years ago? |
34 million cubic meters of avalanche debris from Ruapehu's upper slopes destroys beech forest on south eastern ring plain. |
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3 Stage three What happened in 186 AD? |
Taupo eruption deposits pumice and ash as clouds 5km into sky and spread 800km. |
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3 Stage three Explain how erosion and weathering effect Mount Ruapehu? |
Weaken old larvae cliffs so they loosen and crumble (Whangaehu Valley), Freeze thaw processes |
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3 Stage three Explain how transport of materials effect Mount Ruapehu? |
landslides, hills of rock, boulder shifts from avalanches |
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3 Stage three Explain how depositions effect Mount Ruapehu? |
Rangipo Desert - active accumulation area - sediments are carriedhere by lahars and streams |
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3 Stage Three What effects does gravity have on Mount Ruapehu? |
Mass wasting (freeze thaw/landslides), winds stripping materials |
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3 Stage three What effect does water have on Mount Ruapehu? |
Running water (rivers) erode steep sided channels especially in highaltitudes |
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3 Stage three What effect does ice have on Mount Ruapehu? |
Moving ice = morraine ridges (Mangatepopo Valley), water from ice, glaciers alter the land (South slopes of Mt. Ruapehu - Mangaehuehu Glacier) |
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4 What Maori tribe does the TVC fall under? |
Tuwharetoa people |
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4 Why did the Tuwharetoa people have intense respect for the mountains? |
Offered protection - Ngatoro-i-rangi (priest) climbed Ngauruhoe andwas saved from snowstorm by the fires which killed rival tribes |
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4 What rules did the Tuwharetoa people develop in order to not offend their gods (of the mountains)? |
Ordinary people were not allowed to look at the mountains, forbidden to use sticks from Rangipo Desert to cook food/build fires |
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4 What did Chief Horonuku Te Heuhue do as a result of increased European influence? |
Gave the mountains to the safe keeping of the crown in 1887 so Europeans could not divide land up |
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4 Recreationalists What year did the Europeans start coming to the TVC area? |
1850 |
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4 Recreationalists What year was the development of roads from Wellington to Auckland completed? |
1912 |
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4 Recreationalists In WWI, John Cullen planted heather in the TVC area. Why did he do this and why was it bad? |
To attract Quale for hunting but has survived attempts of eradication & is making it hard for other vegetation to grow |
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4 Recreationalists What else have RECREATIONALISTS used the region for in more recent years? |
Tramping and snow sports |
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4 Recreationalists What cultural features have emerged as a result of increased use of the TVC by recreationalists? |
Roads, car parks, huts, walkways, ski lifts, shops and visitor centers |
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4 Farmers What have farmers done to the area - both NEGATIVE and POSITIVE? |
Positive - drained swamps and improved soil fertility Negative - burnt native vegetation, grew grass, introduced rabbits |
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4 Loggers Timber milling of what native trees occurred in the late 1880's? |
Rimu, Totara, Matai and Miro |
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4 Loggers What did the Government build in the early 1900's to give better access to the forest in the west? |
Main Trunk Railway |
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4 Army What does the Army do in the TVC area? What effect has this had? |
Military training - military vehicles cut tracks through protective turfcover and exposes ash subsoil to influence of erosion |
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4 DOC What is DOC responsible for? |
Protecting the landscape of the TVC, as well as educating the NZ public on how to use the environment in a sustainable way |
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4 DOC What do DOC do in order to protect the TVC area? |
Provide walkways & footpaths & producing information & signageto encourage people to be responsible |
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4 DOC What building restrictions do DOC oversee? |
Park-user services located outside the National Park & accommodation buildings outside of Whakapapa Village |
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5 Maori How did the introduction of the missionaries in the early 1800’s change the Maori’s perception? |
They saw there is only 1 God so this changed the spiritual perception they had of the TVC – people can look at mountains |
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5 Maori What perspective did the Maori maintain even after the Missionaries came in? |
Attitude of respect, region is sacred and in need of protection. Aimto preserve TVC in its natural, pristine appearance |
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5 Maori What influence do the Tuwharetoa people still have in the TVC? |
Represented on the Tongariro-Taupo Conversation Board by paramount Chief Tumu Te Heuhue – have influence in decisions |
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5 Recreationalists When did skiing really grow and what did this result in? |
1920’s – Chateau Tongariro + many huts in Whakapapa village were built |
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5 Recreationalists What happened in 1950’s /1960’s as a result of more recreationalists? |
Emergence of ski lifts & more ski huts, vegetation removed to buildroads and parking lots, 50 private lodges built in Whakapapa |
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5 What problem did trampers bring to the region? |
Waste left behind & sewage caused river pollution, damaged delicate plant systems when walking off tracks |
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5 What 2 legislation's set out to preserve natural and historic resources & when were they set out? |
The Reserves Act (1977) & The Conservation Act (1987) |
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5 What has happened has a result of policies and guidelines that DOC have implemented? |
Most recreationalists are aware of how the area should be used, and so use it in a sustainable way |
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5 What guidelines have DOC implemented? |
Cultural developments to be outside of Whakapapa Village, trampers to use footpaths provided, ski facilities to be limited |
