Geology of South Australia facts for kids
South Australia is an Australian state, situated in the southern central part of the country, and featuring some low-lying mountain ranges, the most significant being the Mount Lofty Ranges, which extend into the state's capital city, Adelaide, which comprises most of the state's population. Adelaide is situated on the eastern shores of Gulf St Vincent, on the Adelaide Plains, north of the Fleurieu Peninsula, between Gulf St Vincent and the low-lying Mount Lofty Ranges. The state of South Australia, which stretches along the coast of the continent and has boundaries with every other state in Australia, with the exception of the Australian Capital Territory and Tasmania. The Western Australia border has a history with South Australia, involving the South Australian Government Astronomer, Dodwell and the Western Australian Government Astronomer, Curlewis in the 1920s to mark the border on the ground.
The search for underground water and mineral wealth was the principal stimulus to the growth of geology of South Australia. The state's central position within the Australian continent gives the state the advantage of hosting rocks with a wide range of ages and lithologies which are all potential (and proven) targets for mineral exploration. South Australia featured some of Australia's most recent volcanic activity and is the location of dormant volcanoes, notably Mount Gambier, which last erupted approximately 6,000 years ago.
The geology of South Australia examines the composition and state of its rocks. This includes the processes that act upon the land and its geographical features over time. It may also extend to humanity's relationship with the land, especially its Aboriginal peoples. Certain geological features such as Mount Gambier have strong economic benefits for its local inhabitants, namely the residents of the city Mount Gambier. The economic value of the land has been a point of discussion for industrial development to capitalise on the rich resources, particularly minerals, found within South Australia's geological features. Many of these features remain well preserved and protected, as of 2020.
As South Australia is a large Australian state, spanning over 983 482 square kilometres, it has a rich geological history. Its large territories and central position in Australia has resulted in a wide variety of geological features. South Australia has been a major source of mined resources. The state's mining history can be traced back to colonial times, within the first 100 years of settlement. The mining industry in South Australia is dependent on its geology. The South Australian mining industry includes over twenty mines, with large expansions in the 2010s that quadrupled its mineral production. The industry accounts for 40% of the state's exports and has been a major area of investment and expansion by the government and private sector.
Images for kids
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A tectonic map of the Gawler Craton
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A map of the Lake Eyre Basin
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Blue Lake, Mount Gambier
