How was the Swartberg mountains formed?
About 330 million years ago, as the continents collided to form the super continent of Pangea, a subduction zone formed in the south, causing the CSG to undergo uplift and compression, which deformed and folded the previously horizontal layers, forming a mountain range up to 7 km high.
How did the Outeniqua Mountains form?
The scenery and geomorphology of the Garden Route south of the Outeniqua Mountains formed as a result of – and after – the final stage of the break-up of the supercontinent Gondwana, which took place during the early Cretaceous, about 110 Ma (Ma = million years ago).
Where are the Outeniqua Mountains?
Western Cape province of South Africa
The Outeniqua Mountains are in the Western Cape province of South Africa. The mountain range sits between the towns of Oudtshoorn to the north and George to the south. The Outeniqua Mountains run parallel to the coast—from Mossel Bay in the west to the Keurbooms River valley in the east.
What is the meaning of Outeniqua?
they who bear honey
“Outeniqua” is said to be derived from a Khoikhoi tribe that once lived in the mountains, and means “they who bear honey”.
Who built the Swartberg Pass?
Thomas Charles Bain
It is the masterpiece of the brilliant engineer and road builder, Thomas Charles Bain (1830 – 1893), and the last of the seventeen passes he built in the Cape Province. The 27km Swartberg Pass is considered one of the finest mountain passes in the world.
In which province is swartberg?
Western Cape province
Swartberg, also spelled Swartberge, mountain range in Western Cape province, South Africa, extending east-west for 150 mi (240 km) from near the town of Willowmore to the edge of the Witteberge, roughly parallel with the Indian Ocean coast.
When was Outeniqua Pass built?
1943 and 1951
It was constructed between 1943 and 1951, replacing the Montagu Pass as the main route from George to the interior.
Is Table Mountain part of the Cape Fold Mountains?
The famous Table Mountain forms part of the Cape Fold Belt, being made up of the local lowest (oldest) strata of the Cape Supergroup, composed predominantly of quartzitic sandstone which forms the impressive, almost vertical cliffs which characterize the mountain and the rest of the range which constitutes the backbone …
How high is the Outeniqua Mountains?
5,177′Outeniqua Mountains / Elevation
How high is the Outeniqua Pass?
2,625′Outeniqua Pass / Elevation
How high are the Outeniqua Mountains?
Where is Swartberg Pass located?
Swartberg Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.574m (5,164ft) above sea level, located in the Western Cape province of South Africa.
Where is the Swartberg mountain range located?
The Swartberg mountains (black mountain in Afrikaans) are a mountain range in the Western Cape province of South Africa. It is composed of two main mountain chains running roughly east–west along the northern edge of the semi-arid Little Karoo. To the north of the range lies the other large semi-arid area in South Africa, the Great Karoo.
What does Swartberg stand for?
Swartberg. The Swartberg mountains ( black mountain in Afrikaans) are a mountain range in the Western Cape province of South Africa. It is composed of two main mountain chains running roughly east-west along the northern edge of the semi-arid Little Karoo. To the north of the range lies the other large semi-arid area in South Africa,…
What type of fault is the Swartberg?
The heavy black line flanked by opposing arrows is the fault that runs for nearly 300 km along the southern edge of the Swartberg Mountains. The Swartberg Mountain range owes some of its great height to upliftment along this fault line. The subsurface structures are not to scale.
What is the difference between Greater Swartberg and Tierberg?
The Greater Swartberg is located to the east, with the dividing line between the two ranges being the Gamka River, which cuts a gorge directly through the range. This section, almost of a similar height, is slightly lower in elevation, with the Tierberg (Leopard Mountain) at 2132 m being the highest.