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Terrapinna Waterhole

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Gravesite as you enter the Terrapinna region Terrapinna Waterhole - a haven for local wildlife and freshwater marine life Camping along the creek upstream from the waterhole. Evening temperature was balmy 16 degrees Celcius Terrapinna Tors and surrounding country. The rocks are highly foliated and injected with silica from several episiodes of metemorphism. Rock cleavage or slaty cleavage. Often associated with the realignment of minerals so that their flat surfaces are nearly parallel to the direction of stress. Cleavage examples such as this are widely distributed across the area The top of the hill is the surface during theTriassic Period Highly weathered by physical and chemical erosion granites break down into spheres before breaking apart from water, ice and heat to form gruss Amphibolite after dolerite intrusive dyke cross- cutting Terrapinna Granite basement is testimont to several instrusions over millenia fault controlled valley The granitic basement breaks down eventually forming grus which is then transported and differencially sorted to form thick grus deposits in areas of low topography. Note the relatively even clast size from differencial sorting Apart from the highy folisated texture evident in most of the granite, eye texture is also evidence of intense burial and regional metmorhism. Replacement has occurred in a number of areas due to metasomatism. Example of the large oval crystals of feldspar and quartz which are characteristic of the Terrapinna geology Apart from the highy folisated texture evident in most of the granite, eye texture is also evidence of intense burial and regional metmorhism. Replacement has occurred in a number of areas due to metasomatism. Example of the large oval crystals of feldspar and quartz which are characteristic of the Terrapinna geology. The Terrapinna Tors are quite high above the surrounding country. View is looking towards Arkaroola. You can just make out the individual crystals as they are being weathered from the host rock Rocky crag of decompossing granite Xeromorphic flora is the only flora which thrives in the area. Nutrients are derived as the granite is weathered by infrequent rain events. Note the fine hairs on the plant's foliage to inhibit desication and maintain any water in the atmosphere within the region of the large stomata. The rocks are highly foliated and injected with silica from several episiodes of metemorphism. Note the flat shards of slate, further evidence of the metamorphism Life can be hard in this environment. A wallaroo here has crawlled into the cave only to die and then ironically be washed out of the cave during a flash flood event. The area is remote and although water is permanent in the Terrapinna waterhole, temperatures in summer can exceed 45 Degrees Celsius. Drought affects available feed for native animals. This is the mummified remains of a Euro that were found beside a small cave in the rocks (look carefully as the carcass blends well with the surroundings) Terrain as you travel south back to Arkaroola from Terrapinna. The terrain is harsh and a well-equipped four wheel drive vehicle is required Terrain as you travel south back to Arkaroola from Terrapinna. The mountain range flanks as you travel south Terrain as you travel south back to Arkaroola from Terrapinna. The mountain range flanks as you travel south