Story: Geology – overview

Greywacke mountains

Greywacke mountains

Almost all the rock in the Southern Alps is Torlesse greywacke, and many climbers and trampers see only this rock type. This panorama, taken from above the Cook River valley shows the peaks of Aoraki/Mt Cook (1), Mt Tasman (2) and Mt Dampier (3). These greywacke peaks form the highest part of the Southern Alps.

Using this item

GNS Science
Reference: CN22206
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 - Rocky foundations', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/photograph/8286/greywacke-mountains (accessed 29 March 2024)

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