Exploring the Volcanic Legacy of the Atherton Tablelands
A Journey Through Ancient Fire
Today marked another productive scouting expedition across the Atherton Tablelands, where I've been identifying remarkable volcanic features worth returning to under better lighting and weather conditions. These features will eventually form part of a comprehensive photographic and video documentation project I'm undertaking.
The Impressive Volcanic History
The Atherton Tablelands hold a fascinating geological story that most locals and visitors drive past daily without recognizing. I certainly did! The region sits within what geologists call the Atherton Basalt Province—a 2,500 square kilometer area shaped by six distinct periods of volcanic activity.
The numbers alone are staggering:
65 eruptive centers across 54 locations
16 shield volcanoes
9 maars (broad, low-relief volcanic craters)
35 cinder cones
1 diatreme (a volcanic pipe formed by a gaseous explosion)
This volcanic activity fundamentally reshaped the landscape we see today. Basalt flows filled ancient valleys and then eroded over millennia to create the rolling hills characteristic of the Tablelands. Some lava flows were so massive they cascaded over the Great Escarpment and down onto the coastal plains below. These eruptions permanently altered river courses, creating new watersheds and drainage patterns.
Visible Evidence Today
One of the most accessible ways to witness this volcanic heritage is through the region's numerous waterfalls and cascades. These water features have cut through layers of earth, exposing the underlying lava flows and offering a window into the Tablelands' fiery past. I'll be featuring many of these waterfalls specifically to highlight their geological significance.
The volcanic legacy continues to benefit the region in tangible ways. Every farmer and gardener in the area appreciates the exceptionally fertile basalt soil—a direct result of this volcanic activity. This rich soil is responsible for the Tablelands' agricultural productivity and lush vegetation.
A Long-Term Project
I'm working toward creating a comprehensive visual guide to the volcanic features of the Atherton Tablelands, which I plan to share on my website when completed. This represents one of several documentation projects I'm currently pursuing, and while it will take considerable time to complete, I believe the result will offer a valuable resource for both locals and visitors interested in understanding this landscape.
If you're interested in following along on this geological journey, I'll be posting images as the project progresses. This will be an opportunity to learn together about the fascinating volcanic processes that shaped this beautiful region.
Resources for the Curious
For those interested in learning more about the volcanic history of the Atherton Tablelands, I've found two research papers particularly illuminating:
For beginners looking for a more accessible introduction, I highly recommend "Australia's Volcanoes" by Russell Ferrett—an excellent resource for understanding volcanic features not just in the Tablelands but across Australia.
I have included a few images, including the Seven Sisters near Yungaburra, Malanda Falls, Bromfield Swamp, Upper Barron and Wongabel. More detail about each location in future posts.
