Rock and Pillar Range

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The Sutton Salt Lake with the Rock and Pillar Range in the background

As Rock and Pillar Range a fraction Scholl Mountains on the eastern edge of Central Otago on the South Island of New Zealand is called.

Geography

The Rock and Pillar Range run, flanked on both sides by the Taieri River, in the south-west and go at the southern end in the Lammermoor Range above. The distance to the Pacific Ocean is 53 km. The eastern side of the mountain chain rises moderately to steeply and gets through the Hyde Fault, which runs directly between the Taieri River and the foot of the mountains, lift. In contrast, the western side slopes gently down to the upper reaches of the Taieri River. On the crest of the Rock and Pillar Range to an unusually large plateau 23 km long and 6 km wide, which measures at the highest point of 1,450 meters covers.

Nature and Landscape

Groups of rocks in columns and block forms, so-called gate (Welsh ), characterize much of the mountain range. Even from a distance you can see the towering rocks on the ridge. The best-known formations were referred to herein as Stonehenge and Castle Rock.

The vegetation is typical compared, an alpine landscape. The tops of the mountains are long covered with snow, which can still occur when the temperature falls too suddenly in the summer. Primarily growing the resistant tussock grass. Remnants of forest with Broadleaf and Totara ( Podocarpus totara ) can be found in the ravines of the east side. In the higher regions robust herb plants occur, in which case the Celmisia Viscosa, also known as Snow Mountain Daisy, dominates.

Use

The Rock and Pillar Range serves scientists from the University of Otago for more than 40 years as a field of research in the disciplines of botany and zoology. An already tight installed measuring system and the proximity to the university in Dunedin makes the mountains for students has become a popular destination for excursions.

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All sources of information and links in English

• LC Bliss, AF Mark: High- Alpine Environments and Primary Production on the Rock and Pillar Range, Central Otago, New Zealand. New Zealand Journal of Botany 12, 1974.