Tasmania's alpine landscape is dominated by two bedrock systems originating from different geological periods. In the eastern and central parts of the state, Jurassic dolerite caps the summits having intruded into the Permian and Tertiary sediments.(Seymour 1998) These dolerite caps have a characteristic topography having an elevated rocky rim and a short, steep face above rock scree. Chemically, dolerite is potentially a very rich source of nutrients however the slow rate of its weathering only allows for soils of moderate fertility.
