Australia/New Zealand/ Antarctica

Earth Science 7-Global Regions

Australia

• Latitude and Longitude-The northernmost point on mainland Australia is Cape York, Queensland, at 10° 41N. The southernmost point is South Point, on Wilsons Promontory, Victoria, at 39° 8S. • Countries- Western Australia, Northern Territory, South Australia, Queensland, New South Whales, Victoria, Tasmania • Elevation Range, highest/lowest points-There are a few peaks that exceed 6,500 feet (2,000 meters). • Large bodies of water- The Great Barrier Reef • Major topographic features- Western Plateau, Central Lowlands, and the Eastern Highlands (or Great Deviding Range) • Bordering Oceans- Indian Ocean and Pacific Ocean • Proper Units- Australian Dollar

Climate Zones

The climate zones for Australia are Subtropical Desert(BWh), Mid-Latitude Desert(BWk),Mid-Latitude Steppe (BSk), Subtropical Steppe(BSh), Tropical Savannah(Aw), Mediterranean(CSa), and Mediterranean(CSb).

Average Monthly Precipitation and Temperature Highs and Lows

Perth, Western Australia(BWh)

Average Monthly Precipitation

• Jan: 9mm
• Feb: 13mm
• Mar: 19mm
• Apr: 46mm
• May: 123mm
• Jun: 182mm
• Jul: 172mm
• Aug: 135mm
• Sep: 80mm
• Oct: 55mm
• Nov: 22mm
• Dec: 14mm

Highest Monthly Temperature

• 48.6 C

Lowest Monthly Temperature

• 12.81 C

Average Monthly Temperature

• 30.75 C

Eucla Hotel, Western Australia(BWk)

Average Monthly Precipitation

• Jan: 14.6mm
• Feb: 18.5mm
• Mar: 22.6mm
• Apr: 26.5mm
• May: 31.0mm
• Jun: 30.2mm
• Jul: 25.1mm
• Aug: 26.5mm
• Sep: 22.6mm
• Oct: 18.3mm
• Nov: 18.3mm
• Dec: 18.2mm

Highest Monthly Temperature

• 22.5 C

Lowest Monthly Temperature

• 12.0 C

Average Monthly Temperature

• 17.25 C

Kambalda, Western Australia(BSk)

Average Monthly Precipitation

• Jan:23.6mm
• Feb:23.6mm
• Mar:31.6mm
• Apr:24.2mm
• May:21.5mm
• Jun:26.7mm
• Jul:28.7mm
• Aug:24.9mm
• Sep:14.2mm
• Oct:14.9mm
• Nov:17.6mm
• Dec:16.4mm

Highest Monthly Temperature

• 21.35 C

Lowest Monthly Temperature

• 23.15 C

Average Monthly Temperature

• 12.75 C

Broome, Western Australia(BSh)

Monthly Average Precipitation

• Jan:178.5mm
• Feb:179.1mm
• Mar:100.8mm
• Apr:26.7mm
• May:26.4mm
• Jun:17.8mm
• Jul:7.3mm
• Aug:1.7mm
• Sep:1.4mm
• Oct:1.4mm
• Nov:9.1mm
• Dec:56.8mm

Highest Average Temperature

• 32.2 C

Lowest Average Temperature

• 21.2 C

Average Monthly Temperature

• 26.7 C

Weipa, Queensland(Aw)

Average Monthly Precipitation

• Jan:467.1mm
• Feb:587.4mm
• Mar:420.4mm
• Apr:88.7mm
• May:21.8mm
• Jun:4.5mm
• Jul:1.2mm
• Aug:6.8mm
• Sep:1.7mm
• Oct:16.8mm
• Nov:103.0mm
• Dec:280.5mm

Highest Monthly Average

• 32.68 C

Lowest Monthly Average

• 21.84 C

Average Monthly Temperature

• 27.26 C

Dongarra, Western Australia(CSa)

Average Monthly Temperature

• Jan:5.7mm
• Feb:11.2mm
• Mar:16.2mm
• Apr:24.5mm
• May:70.4mm
• Jun:100.1mm
• Jul:92.4mm
• Aug:64.1mm
• Sep:32.5mm
• Oct:19.2mm
• Nov:9.2mm
• Dec:5.4mm

Highest Monthly Temperature

• 24.6 C

Lowest Monthly Temperature

• 13.6 C

Average Monthly Temperature

• 19.1 C

Manjimup, Western Australia(CSb)

Average Monthly Precipitation

• Jan:19.7mm
• Feb:18.9mm
• Mar:30.1mm
• Apr:60.6mm
• May:131.0mm
• Jun:166.1mm
• Jul:175.9mm
• Aug:146.3mm
• Sep:109.1mm
• Oct:76.7mm
• Nov:46.5mm
• Dec:25.3mm

Highest Monthly Temperature

• 21.8 C

Lowest Monthly Temperature

• 9.7 C

Average Monthly Temperature

• 15.8 C

Factors that Regulate the Climate

Canberra is located near 35 degrees S latitude, in the mid-latitudes high pressure area. Its topography is flat with the exception of several large hills and is located approximately 93 miles SE of the Tasman Sea. Its vegetation consists of mainly bush, hence the name "Bush Land". Because of the temperature rise of 1-2 degrees C, there will be more of a chance for more intense storm winds and tropical cyclones. Also because of the proximity to water the sea level will rise and there will be more flooding. Canberra has an elevation of about 1,900 feet. Canberra does not really have any prevailing winds because the Westerlies coming over the Brindies are usually dead when they arrive.

Minerals Found In Australia

Rock Types

• Sedimentary- The types of sedimentary rock that is found in Australia are Sandstone, Shale, and Sedimentary Breccia.
• Metamorphic- The type of metamorphic rock that is found in Australia is Quartzite.
• Igneous

Minerals

• Bauxite- Found in Weipa and Gove regions adjacent to the Gulf of Carpentaria in Queensland and the Northern Territory and in the Darling Range south of Perth in Western Australia.
• Copper-Almost 75 per cent of Australia’s copper is in South Australia. There are substantial copper findings in Queensland, New South Wales and Western Australia.
• Diamonds-Most of the diamonds are found in Northern Territory, Western Australia and South Australia.
• Gold- A little over 40 percent of Australia's gold resources is in Western Australia, but gold is also found in South Australia and New South Whales.
• Iron Ore- The Western Territory accounts for almost 98 percent of the Iron Ore resources in Australia.
• Manganese-The Northern Territory accounts for almost 80 percent of manganese resources in Australia.
• Nickel- Western Australia is where almost all of the Nickel in Australia is found.
• Thorium-Australia has exported large quantities of monazite from mineral sands mined in Western Australia, New South Wales and Queensland.
• Uranium
• Zinc-Lead-Silver-Almost two thirds of Australia’s zinc and lead Economic Demonstrated Resources (EDR) is in Queensland. Mining occurs in the Northern Territory and all States except Victoria.

Tectonic Plates

Australia sits on the Australian plate alone.

Volcanoes

Australian volcanoes are caused because of hot spots and most of them are dormant except for Heard Island and McDonald Islands

• Australia has about 77 major volcanoes
• These volcanoes are located all over Australia but currently Heard Island, McDonald Islands, and Mt. Eccles in Victoria.
• There are around 400 shield volcanoes in Victoria and South Australia. The magma associated with theses are basaltic magma
• The Undara volcano erupted 190,000 years ago and area covered by the lava field from the main crater is more than 1000 square kilometres.

Earthquakes

• Australia has shallow earthquakes and because it is in the middle of the Australian Plate there are very few.
• These earthquakes tend to occur on the west side of Australia- Western Australia, Northern Territory, and South Australia. There are also a few earthquakes south of Australia in the Great Australian Bight.

Boundary Types

• Divergent
• Subduction

Margin Types

• Divergent
• Destructive

External Links

http://www.vnc.qld.edu.au/enviro/landform/landf-st.htm http://www.vnc.qld.edu.au/enviro/landform/landf-mu.htm http://www.ga.gov.au/minerals/mineral-resources.html http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/averages/tables/cw_009573.shtml http://weather.thewest.yahoo.com.au/local-climate-history/wa/dongara http://weather.wfi.com.au/local-climate-history/qld/weipa http://geography.about.com/library/weekly/aa011700b.htm http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Broome,_Western_Australia#Climate http://weather.mla.com.au/climate-history/wa/kambalda http://www2b.abc.net.au/science/k2/stn/archives/archive89/newposts/1592/topic1592534.shtm[[3]] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canberra[[4]] [[5]] http://www.mapsofworld.com/lat_long/australia/australia-lat-long-c.html[[6]] http://www.enviro-friendly.com/canberra-rainfall.shtmlLink title http://weather.uk.msn.com/monthly_averages.aspx?wealocations=wc:ASXX0023[[7]] http://www.srh.noaa.gov/jetstream/global/climate_max.htm[[8]] http://www.worldclimeate.com/[[9]] http://www.worldbookonline.com/advanced/extmedia?id=ar038420&st=australia&em=mp000266[[10]] http://school.eb.com/comptons/art-52592/Australia?&articleTypeId=49[[11]] http://school.eb.com/comptons/article-9273020[[12]] http://school.eb.com/comptons/article-258639[[13]] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eucla,_Western_Australia#Climate

Antarctica

- topographic features-Antarctic is the fifth largest continent of the world at 14 million square kilometres and is covered by a permanent continental ice sheet http://maps.grida.no/go/graphic/antarctica-topographic-map

No bodies of water or rivers

It borders the South atlantic, South pacific, and indian oceans.

lowest point: Bentley Subglacial Trench -2,555 m highest point: Vinson Massif 4,897 m 90 00 S, 0 00 E http://geography.about.com/library/cia/blcantarctica.htm

Antarctica wiki Grade 2

Antarctica's location as the southernmost continent presents a unique situation in terms of weather and climate. The Antarctic polar climate boundary encompasses about 12 percent of the surface of the globe, an area twice as large as that of the Arctic. It includes the entire Antarctic continent except the extreme northern tip of the Antarctic Peninsula. In the interior regions, extremely low temperatures, several months of complete darkness, fierce winds and blowing snow combine to make life virtually impossible. On the Antarctic Peninsula, temperatures are milder, yet snowstorms and gale force winds can persist for days or weeks on end. Most of Antarctica is covered with vast areas of snow and ice which reflect about 75% of the incoming solar radiation. Winter temperatures are also influenced by latitude, elevation and by the shortage of sunlight during the Antarctic winter.

Antarctica is well known for its ferocious winds and blinding storms. Its reputation as the windiest and least hospitable continent on earth is well-deserved. Localized blizzards and life-threatening wind-chill temperatures are an ever-present danger. Travel and outdoor activities become virtually impossible during the Antarctic winter season. Along the coast, cold dense air flowing down off the ice-cap funnels through topographic channels at great speeds lifting snow high off the ground and reducing visibility to only a few feet. Also Antarctica's latitude makes it very cold because the sun's rays barley hit it and almost never head on.

Climate data for Vostok station, 1958 - 2010

Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year Record high °C (°F) −12.2 (10.0) −22.9 (−9.2) −35.6 (−32.1) −33 (−27.4) −41.6 (−42.9) −40.1 (−40.2) −34.1 (−29.4) −36.1 (−33.0) −38.3 (−36.9) −24.5 (−12.1) −23.9 (−11.0) −14.1 (6.6) −12.2 (10.0) Average high °C (°F) −27.1 (−16.8) −38.6 (−37.5) −52.8 (−63.0) −61.2 (−78.2) −62 (−79.6) −60.5 (−76.9) −62.4 (−80.3) −64 (−83.2) −61.8 (−79.2) −51.7 (−61.1) −37.3 (−35.1) −27.3 (−17.1) −50.4 Daily mean °C (°F) −32.1 (−25.8) −44.3 (−47.7) −57.8 (−72.0) −64.8 (−84.6) −65.7 (−86.3) −65.2 (−85.4) −66.7 (−88.1) −68 (−90.4) −66.1 (−87.0) −57.2 (−71.0) −42.7 (−44.9) −31.9 (−25.4) −55.2 Average low °C (°F) −37.6 (−35.7) −50 (−58.0) −61.7 (−79.1) −67.8 (−90.0) −69.1 (−92.4) −68.8 (−91.8) −70.4 (−94.7) −71.6 (−96.9) −70.3 (−94.5) −63.2 (−81.8) −49.9 (−57.8) −38.1 (−36.6) −59.9 Record low °C (°F) −55.1 (−67.2) −64 (−83.2) −75 (−103.0) −80.4 (−112.7) −80.6 (−113.1) −83.3 (−117.9) −89.2 (−128.6) −85.4 (−121.7) −85.6 (−122.1) −76.1 (−105.0) −62.6 (−80.7) −48 (−54.4) −89.2 (−128.6) Precipitation mm (inches) 0.7 (0.028) 0.6 (0.024) 1.9 (0.075) 2.3 (0.091) 2.9 (0.114) 2.5 (0.098) 2.3 (0.091) 2.2 (0.087) 2.3 (0.091) 1.8 (0.071) 0.8 (0.031) 0.5 (0.02) 20.8 (0.819) Source: [4][5]

Rock Types

Each type of rock, whether igneous, sedimentary or metamorphic, can be found in Antarctica. The rocks found in Antarctica really aren’t any different from the rocks found elsewhere in the world. Antarctica rocks may have formed under different conditions, but they are essentially the same as rocks on other continents. The significance of these rocks, then, is their ability to tell of an Antarctica quite different from what we know today.

Minerals

These are the minerals known to be found in Antarctica.

Ag - Silver Au - Gold Co - Cobalt Cu - copper Cr - Chromium Fe - Iron Mb - Molybdenum Mn - Manganese Ni - Nickel Pb - Lead Ti - Titanium U - Uranium Zn - Zinc

Antarctica is known to have mineral deposits, though any sizeable deposits that are easy to reach are rare and even then not economically viable to mine. One of the main problems is the vast covering of moving ice streams and glaciers.

Volcanoes and their Types(There are 16 of them.)

Andrus, Shields, Buckle Island, Stratovolcano, Deception Island, Caldera, Erebus, Stratovolcano, Hudson Mountains, Stratovolcanoes, Paulet, Cinder Cone, Penguin Island, Stratovolcano, Peter I Island, Shield, Royal Society Range, Cinder Cones, Seal Nunataks Group, Pyroclastic Cones, Siple, Shield, Tony Mountain, Shield, Unnamed Scoria Cones, Unnamed Submarine Volcano, Unnamed Submarine Volcano, Waesche, Shields,

Link to a picture below.

Tectonics

Antarctica sits on the Antarctic Plate.

Boundary Types

Divergent Transform

Margins

The Antarctic Margin

Magma Types

Rhyolitic Basaltic Andesitic

Eruptions

Start Date: 2006 Jun 9 (on or before)

Stop Date: 2006 Dec 6 (?)

Volcano: Michael

Dating Technique: Historical Records

Volcanic Explosivity Index (VEI): 0

Eruptive Characteristics:

   Central vent eruption 
   Lava lake eruption 

Start Date: 2005 Oct 2 (?)

Stop Date: 2006 Jan 20 (?)

Volcano: Michael

Dating Technique: Historical Records

Volcanic Explosivity Index (VEI): 0

Eruptive Characteristics:

   Central vent eruption 
   Lava lake eruption 

Start Date: 2003 May 6 (?)

Stop Date: 2003 May 6 (?)

Volcano: Michael

Dating Technique: Historical Records

Volcanic Explosivity Index (VEI): 0

Eruptive Characteristics:

   Central vent eruption 
   Lava lake eruption 

Start Date: 2002 Jul (?)

Stop Date: 2002 Nov (?)

Volcano: Michael

Dating Technique: Historical Records

Volcanic Explosivity Index (VEI): 0

Eruptive Characteristics:

   Central vent eruption 
   Lava lake eruption 

Start Date: 2001 Oct 1 ± 20 days

Stop Date: 2007 Sep 20

Volcano: Montagu Island

Dating Technique: Historical Records

Volcanic Explosivity Index (VEI): 1?

Area of Activity: NW of Mount Belinda

Eruptive Characteristics:

   Central vent eruption 
   Subglacial eruption 
   Explosive eruption 
   Lava flow(s) 
   Lava lake eruption 

Start Date: 2001 Sep (?)

Stop Date: 2001 Nov (?)

Volcano: Michael

Dating Technique: Historical Records

Volcanic Explosivity Index (VEI): 0

Eruptive Characteristics:

   Central vent eruption 
   Lava lake eruption 

Start Date: 2000 Aug (?)

Stop Date: 2001 Jan (?)

Volcano: Michael

Dating Technique: Historical Records

Volcanic Explosivity Index (VEI): 0

Eruptive Characteristics:

   Central vent eruption 
   Lava lake eruption 

Start Date: 1997 May (?)

Stop Date: 1998 Feb (in or after)

Volcano: Michael

Dating Technique: Historical Records

Volcanic Explosivity Index (VEI): 0

Eruptive Characteristics:

   Central vent eruption 
   Lava lake eruption 

Earthquakes

There are a lot of earthquakes in Anarctica The regions are: Link to a map below

Recent earthquakes are

http://www.volcano.si.edu/world/region.cfm?rnum=19&rpage=erupt

http://vulcan.wr.usgs.gov/Volcanoes/Antarctica/description_antarctica_volcanoes.html

http://www.coolantarctica.com/Antarctica%20fact%20file/science/threats_mining_oil.htm

http://www.antarcticconnection.com/antarctic/weather/wind.shtml

http://www.antarcticconnection.com/antarctic/weather/climate.shtml

http://beyondpenguins.ehe.osu.edu/issue/rocks-and-minerals/the-basics-of-rocks-and-minerals-and-polar-geology

New Zealand

- Regions: South Island and North Island - Lat/Longitude: 41 degrees south and 174 degrees east - Elevation Range:

    -Highest Point: Aoraki- Mount Cook 3,754 m
    -Lowest Point: Pacific Ocean 0 m

- Large bodies of water, rivers:

    -Bodies of Water: None
    -Rivers: None

- Major topographic features: Wellington (Capital), Nelson, Hamilton - Bordering Oceans: South Pacific Ocean - Marine West Coast climate zone - Average monthly temperature: 72 degrees Fahrenheit - Average monthly precipitation: equal precipitation every month

-Affects on climate:

    -Latitude: in the mid-latitudes so it has westerly winds
    -Elevation: a change in rainfall patterns (higher rainfall in the west and less in the east), higher tempratures, floods, rising sea level
    -Topography: the growth of pasture, crops and forests
    -Proximity to water: gets cool at night and hotter at daytime
    -Prevailing winds: go westerly, decrease for a period in the summer or early autumn on the North Island and July and August are the least windy   months on the South Island
    -Vegetation: crops grow faster
    -High or low pressure zone: Low pressure system
    -Ocean currents: brings relatively cool water to the region and the rising sea levels will cause more erosion

Geology

Minerals:

    -Aluminum
    -Gold
    -Iron
    -steel
    -cement
    -coal
    -silver
    -petroleum

Rocks Types:

    -basalt-igneous-volcanoes
    -limestone-sedimentary- rivers
    -granite-igneous-volcanoes
    -slate-metamorphic- mountains
    -obsidian- igneous-volcanoes
    -Schist-metamorphic-mountains
    -pumice-igneous-volcanoes
    -rhyolite-igneous-volcanoes
    -marble-metamorphic-mountains
    -conglomerate-sedimentary-river
    -gabbro-igneous-volcanoes   
    -andesite-igneous-volcanoes

Mining Resources:

    -GOLD!
    -coal (Bituminous Coal)
    -oil
    -gas

Volcanoes (Lots of volcanoes): -found mainly on the North Island

    -types of volcanoes:
              -submarine volcanoes
              -stratovolcanoes
              -calderas
              -lava domes
              -complex volcanoes
              -sheild volcanoes
              -volcanic field
             -cinder cones [3]

Recent Eruptions:

    -1995: Ruapehu [5]
    -The 'Buried Village' was covered by ash and mud in 1886 on Okataina Volcanic Centre/ Mt. Tarawera Volcano [6]
    -March 17, 2006: Raoul Island erupted unexpectedly [4]

Plate Tectonics:

    -Plates: Pacific Plate and Australian Plate [7]
    -Boundry types: [8] convergent boundary [9]

Earthquakes:

   -a good amount of both the North and South Islands
   -recent earthquakes:
             -Feb. 22, 2011 (Christchurch)- magnitude of 6.3
             -Sep. 4, 2010 (Darfield)-magnitude of 7.1
             -July 15, 2009 (Dusky Sound)- magnitude of 7.8
             -Jan. 23, 1855 (Wairarapa)- magnitude of 8.2 [10]

Margins:

    -Fiordland Margin
    -Hikurangi Margin [11]

New Zealand is metamorphic. [12] New Zealand is mostly andesitic magma. [13] Andesitic magma is usually associated with stratovolcanoes. [14] Andesitic magma is usually found at convergent plate boundries. [15]

Works Cited: https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/nz.html http://www.srh.noaa.gov/jetstream/global/climate_max.htm http://www.metservice.com/learning/nz-climate http://www.mfe.govt.nz/issues/climate/about/impacts.html http://www.teara.govt.nz/en/soils-and-regional-land-use/1/2 http://www.teara.govt.nz/en/ocean-currents-and-tides/1 http://minerals.usgs.gov/minerals/pubs/country/2010/myb3-2010-nz.pdf http://school.eb.com/comptons/article-256846 http://www.otago.ac.nz/geology/research/general_geology/rocks-minerals/index.html http://www.gns.cri.nz/iags/newzealand.html

[[3][14]] [[4][15]] [[5][16]] [[6][17]] [[7][18]] [[8][19]] [9][20] Google Earth [[10][21]] [[11][22]] [[12][23]] [[[13]][http://www.gns.cri.nz/Home/Learning/Science-Topics/Volcanoes/New-Zealand-Volcanoes 14[24] [[15][25]]