The coastal features that we see today have evolved over hundreds or thousands of years. FIGURE5 shows the Twelve Apostles on Victoria’s south-western coast. In the foreground you can see the remnants of collapsed stacks. These stacks were once part of the mainland — constant rainfall and wave action on soft limestone cliffs have created the landforms we see today.
FIGURE5 The Twelve Apostles in Port Campbell National Park, Victoria
Current coastline
Stacks show where the coastline used to be.
Limestone cliffs
Collapsed stacks
SkillBuilder discussion Geographical inquiry
1. What geographical processes have shaped the Twelve Apostles? 2. Suggest how this landscape would have looked a million years ago. 3. Predict how this landform might look in the future.
13.3.5 What is soil? Soil is formed through the processes of weathering and erosion and is the basis of all life on Earth. It provides the nutrients needed for agriculture and raising livestock. Australian soils are poorer than those on other continents such as North America and Europe. In some areas they are low in nutrients and have a high salt content. Patches of good soil are found scattered across the continent. For example: • Volcanic soil is found in Darling Downs in Queensland and Orange in New South Wales. • Rich alluvial soil is located in river valleys around Margaret River in Western Australia and Goulburn River in Victoria. • In highland regions of the Snowy Mountains and Central Australia’s arid and semi-arid regions, it can take more than 1000 years for natural processes to produce 3 centimetres of soil.
SkillBuilder discussion Geographical inquiry 1. Look closely at FIGURE6 . Mind-map why Australian soils are of poor quality. 2. What do you think is the most important influence on soil formation? 3. Where do you think the most fertile and least fertile soils are located in Australia?
290 Jacaranda Humanities Alive 8 Victorian Curriculum Third Edition
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