Rock and Pillar Range

The Rock and Pillar Range of high hills is located in the Maniototo, an area of inland Otago, New Zealand. They are surrounded by the Taieri River, which has its source in the range, flowing out across the scroll plain at Paerau, before almost doubling back on itself at Waipiata and flowing back along the other side through the Strath-Taieri. The town of Middlemarch lies close to the Taieri to the east of the range, and Patearoa lies to the northwest.

The north end of the Rock and Pillar Range is visible in the distance in this picture taken from near Ranfurly.

The Rock and Pillars are a horst range, caused by movement on two parallel faults uplifting the area in between. Thus, the range is characterised by a very flat top, with steep escarpments on either side. The Great Moss Swamp lies on the upper surface of the range. There is a persistent and highly unusual cloud formation associated with the range. This strange cloud formation, found only in one or two places in the world, is more or less stationary and is called the Taieri Pet by the local inhabitants. It is formed by high north-westerly winds being forced upward over the Rock & Pillar range. Big Hut, situated near the summit of the range, is available for public use.

Summit Peak

The range takes its name from the rock formations that cover parts of it. The highest point in the range is Summit Peak or Summit Rock at 1,450 metres (4,760 ft). Several lower points include Stonehenge 1,380 metres (4,530 ft) and McPhee's Rock 1,013 metres (3,323 ft).

Fauna and Flora

The nationally endangered Burgan Skink is endemic to the Rock and Pillar range.[1]

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References

CHAPPLE, DAVID G.; BELL, TRENT P.; CHAPPLE, STEPHANIE N.J.; MILLER, KIMBERLY A.; DAUGHERTY, CHARLES H.; PATTERSON, GEOFF B. (2011). "Phylogeography and taxonomic revision of the New Zealand cryptic skink (Oligosoma inconspicuum; Reptilia: Scincidae) species complex" (PDF). Zootaxa. 2782: 1–33. ISSN 1175-5334. Retrieved 18 July 2015.

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[Zootaxa_2011-1] CHAPPLE, DAVID G.; BELL, TRENT P.; CHAPPLE, STEPHANIE N.J.; MILLER, KIMBERLY A.; DAUGHERTY, CHARLES H.; PATTERSON, GEOFF B. (2011). "Phylogeography and taxonomic revision of the New Zealand cryptic skink (Oligosoma inconspicuum; Reptilia: Scincidae) species complex" (PDF). Zootaxa. 2782: 1–33. ISSN 1175-5334. Retrieved 18 July 2015.