Editing Flinders Ranges (section)

== Geology ==
[[Image:NASA-Flinders-Ranges.JPG|thumb|Flinders Ranges from space]]
The Flinders Ranges are composed largely of folded and faulted sediments of the [[Adelaide Geosyncline]]. This very thick sequence was deposited in a large basin during the [[Neoproterozoic]] on the passive margin of the ancient continent of [[Rodinia]]. During the [[Cambrian]] (about 540 million years ago) the area underwent the [[Delamerian Orogeny|Delamerian orogeny]], when this sequence of rocks was folded and faulted into a large mountain range. The area has undergone subsequent erosion resulting in the relatively low ranges today.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://austhrutime.com/flinders_ranges.htm|title=The Flinders Ranges|website=austhrutime.com}}</ref>

Most of the high ground and ridgetops are sequences of [[quartzite]]s that outcrop along [[Strike (geology)|strike]]. The high walls of [[Wilpena Pound]] are formed by the outcropping beds of the eponymous Pound Quartzite in a synclinal structure. Synclines form other high parts of the Flinders, including the plateau of the [[Gammon Ranges]] and the Heysen Range. [[Cuesta]] forms are also very common.<ref name=":1" />

The Ranges are renowned for the [[Ediacara Hills]], south-west of [[Leigh Creek, South Australia|Leigh Creek]], where in 1946 some of the oldest fossil evidence of animal life was discovered. Similar fossils have subsequently been found in the ranges, including at [[Nilpena]], with an application being made for World Heritage listing to help protect the sites.<ref name=gage2017>Gage, Nicola. [https://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-02-12/flinders-ranges-world-heritage-listing-bid/8262494 Flinders Ranges fossils documented as part of World Heritage listing bid] ''ABC News'', 13 February 2017. Retrieved 24 March 2020.</ref> In 2004 a new geological period, the [[Ediacaran]] Period, was created to mark the appearance of [[Ediacaran biota]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://ucmp.berkeley.edu/vendian/ediacara.html|title=Ediacara Hills, Australia|website=ucmp.berkeley.edu|access-date=2019-03-18}}</ref>
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