Mobo Creek Crater - QLD

Despite its name, the 'crater' at Mobo Creek is not the result of a volcanic explosion. We know this because the steep walls of the 'crater' are formed from sandstone and shale, which are not volcanic rocks. There is also no sign of scoria (rock fragments thrown into the air during a volcanic explosion) in the surrounding area.However, the rocks along Mobo Creek are basalt, which. is cooled volcanic lava. So some sort, of volcanic activity occurred here in the past.WHAT HAPPENED? It is likely that the basalt rocks around the creek are the result of a flow of lava thousands of years ago-from a small volcano 17km to the east. The lava flow followed the existing stream bed and then cooled into basalt rock and blocked the creek. As basalt is tough and hard to erode, Mobo Creek was forced to flow around the edge of the basalt, cutting a new creek bed in the surrounding, less resistant rock.Here, where the creek takes a sharp bend, fast moving floodwaters have eroded a steep-sided, crater-like. depression.Approach quietly and you may be lucky enough to spot platypus in the pool. These delightful small mammals live in burrows in the creek banks and forage for worms and insects in the mud with their bills. Platypus hunt with their eyes, ears and nostrils closed. They have special receptors in their bills that detect electrical currents created by the muscle movements of their fleeing prey.