Lynch's Crater, Volcanic crater in Atherton Tableland, Australia.
Lynch's Crater is a volcanic depression on the Atherton Tableland that drops about 80 meters into the landscape. The crater floor is swampy and fed by streams flowing down from the eastern side of the formation.
The crater formed about 230,000 years ago from a volcanic eruption that created a maar structure at the eastern edge of the Atherton Tableland. Since then, the landscape has preserved this ancient volcanic event with little change.
Aboriginal Australians maintained connections to this land, as evidenced by 38,000-year-old charcoal particles found within the crater's sediments.
The crater floor is wet and slippery, so sturdy footwear and caution are needed when walking in the depression. Access is best from the rim, and visitors should be aware of the steep sides.
The sediment layers in the crater contain pollen samples and deposits that reveal vegetation patterns spanning thousands of years. These records show how the landscape shifted from rainforest to different plant types and how this affected local life.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
