A reconnaissance of the Corinna-Pieman Heads area-Geomorphology

Abstract

The area with which this paper is concerned largely comprises a plateau of mature, moderately low relief, the level of which gradually falls to the west, and which terminates on the seaward side in a steep scarp slope. At the foot of this scarp is situated a small and much dissected bench and slightly below this again is a coastal zone, consisting mainly of rocky headlands and sandy bayhead beaches but also, in places, containing dunes and alluvial flats. Traversing and draining part of the area is the Pieman River which, quite apart from being the largest river of the area under consideration is one of the major water courses of Tasmania. The area surveyed is indicated in flgure I, a location map of the area, and this report is the result of a brief period of field work during which traverses were made of typical sections of country, and examination made of the various geomorphological units as determined by previous photo-interpretation of aerial photographs. The units have been mapped upon aerial photographs but there is a certain amount of ground survey information available (Nicolls, K. D. and Taylor, R. personal communication), and full use has been made of this. Much of this paper is occupied with the features displayed within the actual survey area, but there are several pertinent and relevant phenomena to be observed just outside this limited area and these are cited as evidence where suitable and necessary.