Peninsula to Plains - The Geography of Canterbury and Banks' Peninsula

Banks Peninsula Canterbury

1. Peninsula to Plains - Intro The story of Canterbury’s landscape

2. While watching the video below note down all the Canterbury locations that you recognise on the back page of your book. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QHojqPrGChk

3. How was Banks Peninsula Formed? Banks Peninsula first emerged as an island thrust out of the sea by volcanic eruptions estimated to have started between 10 and 15 million years ago. The two harbours of Lyttelton and Akaroa, which indent the coastline, are eroded remnants of those eruptions and the highest peak in the district, Mount Herbert, is also an ancient volcanic cone. Many of the rocky outcrops which form some of the most striking landscape features on the Peninsula are a result of the volcanic activity which ceased about 6 million years ago.

4. How was Banks Peninsula Formed? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mHjjJUDUclg

5. How were the Canterbury Plains Formed? Glacial action during the ice ages of the last two million years has also contributed to the form of the Peninsula. As the glaciers ground away the Southern Alps, fine silt was produced which was carried by the prevailing north-westerly winds and deposited as loess over the existing volcanic landform. At the same time, rock eroded by the glaciers was carried by rivers and deposited at the coast which, in turn, gradually moved eastward forming the Canterbury Plains. Some 20,000 years ago, the plains met the volcanic island and linked it to the South Island.

6. The Geography of Canterbury On your worksheet identify and label the following natural and cultural features of Canterbury: Banks Peninsula Christchurch Kaikoura Ashburton Timaru Southern Alps Aoraki/Mt. cook Mt. Taylor Waiau River Hurunui River Waimakariri River Rakaia River Rangitata River Lake Tekapo Lake Ellesmere

7. The Geography of Canterbury Using your device do some research to answer the following questions: What four provinces border Canterbury? What is the land area of Canterbury (in km 2 )? What is the Māori name for Canterbury? In order from largest to smallest, what are the 5 largest cities/towns in Canterbury? What were the two main land covers in Canterbury prior to human settlement? How many people live in Canterbury? What is the largest Lake in Canterbury? What is the longest river in Canterbury? Canterbury is famous for having what type of rivers? What is the oldest town in Canterbury?

8. Summary In your own words write a paragraph summarising, the physical geography of Canterbury (what it is made up of and what landforms and features can be found) and the cultural geography (the other provinces that border Canterbury, any cities or towns etc).