NZ's geological history Flashcards
(26 cards)
135 million years ago
Gondwanaland started to break up
85-65 million years ago
Gondwanaland split into 6 countries. New Zealand, Australia and New Caladonia were
In the last 55 million years
- NZ has split away from Australia
- Laid 2,000 km from eastern Australia, stayed the same more or less since
- Any plants or animals that arrived in NZ since then will have had to cross a large body of water
Gondwanaland started to break up
135 million years ago
Gondwanaland split into 6 countries
85-65 million years ago
- NZ has split away from Australia
- Laid 2,000 km from eastern Australia, stayed the same more or less since
- Any plants or animals that arrived in NZ since then will have had to cross a large body of water (accidental arrivals)
In the last 55 million years
25 million years ago
Much of NZ was underwater. It is likely plants and animals were seperated from eachother on the small islands. This seperation provided prime opportunities for evolution of different species
Much of NZ was underwater. It is likely plants and animals were seperated from eachother on the small islands. This seperation provided prime opportunities for evolution of different species
25 million years ago
What happened when NZ began to rise out of the water
New ecological niches were created with the extra landmass. As more ecological niches formed, there was more and more opportunities for new species
New ecological niches were created with the extra landmass. As more ecological niches formed, there was more and more opportunities for new species
What happened when NZ began to rise out of the water
How NZ’s temperature changed with the movement of the tectonic plates
NZ was originally warm, but as the tectonic plates moved south it went from a drier subtropical zone to a cooler moister climate
NZ was originally warm, but as the tectonic plates moved south it went from a drier subtropical zone to a cooler moister climate
How NZ’s temperature changed with the movement of the tectonic plates
What is glaciation
How NZ’s temperature changed with the movement of the tectonic plates
How NZ’s temperature changed with the movement of the tectonic plates
What is glaciation
Why are trees so short in the volcanic plateau?
It gets frequent snow, as it is the highest point in the north island. Wherever its colder, you will get smaller organisms There is also very poor soil there.
When did ice ages in NZ stop
The 1850s, as from 1600 - 1850 there was a mini ice age. By the 1900s New Zealand’s land temp had increased by aboyt 1.5 degrees
It gets frequent snow, as it is the highest point in the north island. Wherever its colder, you will get smaller organisms There is also very poor soil there.
Why are trees so short in the volcanic plateau?
The 1850s, as from 1600 - 1850 there was a mini ice age. By the 1900s New Zealand’s land temp had increased by aboyt 1.5 degrees
When did ice ages in NZ stop
Why are ice ages so important
They create glaciers, which are an geographical barrier to organisms of the same species reproducing. This causes reproductive isolation
They create glaciers, which are an geographical barrier to organisms of the same species reproducing. This causes reproductive isolation
Why are ice ages so important
What important thing happened at the last major ice age
The main islands were joined together by a land bridge. This meant breeding between organisms in the south island and north island was possibe for a time
How did big volcanoes affect NZ
The amount of ash entering the atmosphere creates a dome that allows not a lot of light in. This can cause mass extinction events
The main islands were joined together by a land bridge. This meant breeding between organisms in the south island and north island was possibe for a time
What important thing happened at the last major ice age
The amount of ash entering the atmosphere creates a dome that allows not a lot of light in. This can cause mass extinction events
How did big volcanoes affect NZ
