A meander cut-off occurs when a meander bend in a river is breached by a chute channel that connects the two closest parts of the bend. This causes the flow to abandon the meander and to continue straight downslope. Cut-offs are a natural part of the evolution of a meandering river, and have also been used to artificially shorten the length of meandering rivers for navigation or flood control.
The focus of this walk is Puketapu hill. Many hundreds of years ago the hill stood at the end of a long, narrow-necked peninsula. The Whanganui river once flowed in an almost complete circle around Puketapu but after years of erosion the river broke through the neck, forcing a more direct route to the sea and cutting off the meander.
For more information about this walk:
Atene Skyline Track
Have a look at the satellite view of this location on geocaching.com - it's spectacular!
To claim this earthcache please answer the following questions. Questions 1 and 2 can be answered from your walk, questions 3 and 4 require some research.
1. At waypoint 1 - a field investigation took place into ...? Note there is a DOC toilet near here.
2. At waypoint 2 (Atene viewpoint)
(a) If possible take a photo of the view of the cut-off meander from here.
(b) Post beside the seat - how many nails on top?
(c) You will be observing two distinct types of land use, native forest on the steep slopes and what kind of land use on the flat cut-off meander below you?
3. A major contributing factor to the creation of this cut-off meander was the soil/rock type in the Whanganui river region, what is it?
4. Describe another cut-off meander or ox-bow lake somewhere else, giving its location and name (if it has one).
Once you have emailed me your answers, you can go ahead and log your find. If possible please include a photograph. You don't have to wait for me to reply.