Story: Geology – overview

Moraine ridges on the Cascade Plateau

Moraine ridges on the Cascade Plateau

In the last million years, during cold glacial periods, many of the valleys in South Westland were filled by glaciers. This aerial photograph shows lateral moraine ridges, formed at the margins of a glacier, in the lower Cascade valley. At present the river (upper left) meanders along a broad, swampy valley, formed after the glacier melted about 12,000 years ago.

Using this item

GNS Science
Reference: CN10241/18
Photograph by Lloyd Homer

Permission of GNS Science must be obtained before any use of this image.

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How to cite this page:

Eileen McSaveney and Simon Nathan, 'Geology – overview - Quaternary mountains and glaciers', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/photograph/8387/moraine-ridges-on-the-cascade-plateau (accessed 30 March 2024)

Story by Eileen McSaveney and Simon Nathan, published 12 Jun 2006