Transactions of the Royal Society of New Zealand . ersity Study, Journal of Geol., 1894, p. 66. Cotton.—Xotes on Wellington Physiography. 249 Forms of the Kaukau Cycle. Kaukau* Peak (1,465 ft.) may be taken as a sample of a form be-longing to the first, or Kaukau, cycle. An area of about 50 acres atthe summit presents the appearance of mature topography, with gentlyrounded outlines, which abruptly give place to precipitous slopes, rockycrags, and torrent-ravines, forms of the next cycle. The small, gentlygraded valleys of the summit are transformed within a few yards intotorrent-courses with r
Transactions of the Royal Society of New Zealand . ersity Study, Journal of Geol., 1894, p. 66. Cotton.—Xotes on Wellington Physiography. 249 Forms of the Kaukau Cycle. Kaukau* Peak (1,465 ft.) may be taken as a sample of a form be-longing to the first, or Kaukau, cycle. An area of about 50 acres atthe summit presents the appearance of mature topography, with gentlyrounded outlines, which abruptly give place to precipitous slopes, rockycrags, and torrent-ravines, forms of the next cycle. The small, gentlygraded valleys of the summit are transformed within a few yards intotorrent-courses with rock beds and steep rock walls. There is no differ-ence of rock-strength to account for the change, but summit and sidesalike are composed of the most resistant type of strong greywacke,traversed by few joints. In fig. 3 the slopes of the summit of Kaukau are seen in the fore-ground. The surface is littered with blocks of the greywacke, weatheringin the manner generally regarded as characteristic of igneous rocks ratherthan of sedimentary Fig. 3.—View of the East Branch of Ohariu Stream, looking Northward fromthe Summit of Kaukau Peak. A graded reach, at its lowest point 250 ft. above sea-level, and incised about 50 ft. belowthe graded valley-floor of the earlier cycle. Little is left of the surface belonging to the Kaukau cycle, and per-haps the most extensive remnant is a tableland nearly a square mile inextent, standing 950 ft. above sea-level, which exists on the divide westof the Makara Stream. In fig. 2 it is marked P. It has an undulatingsurface of mature valleys and rounded spurs, appearing from a distanceperfectly plane. It is bounded on all sides by the slopes of young ravineseating into it. Many of the higher ridges show very similar topography, though noother is so nearly plane. From these observations it appears that duringthe Kaukau cycle the stage of maturity was reached, and that this nearlyplane area, P, stood not far above base-level. The height of
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