Thornton Peak
Encyclopedia
Thornton Peak is a prominent mountain that rises above the Daintree Rainforest
to a height of 1374 m. The mountain is located about 32 km northwest of Cairns within the catchment of the Daintree River
.
It is Queensland's fourth highest peak after Mount Bartle Frere
at 1622 m (5,322 ft), Mount Bellenden Ker
at 1593 m (5,226 ft) and Mount Superbus
at 1375 m (4,511 ft).
The peak is covered by rainforest
and is home to a number of endemic species. Thornton Peak is one of only three mountain tops that are home to the Cinereus Ringtail Possum
. A group of scientists have suggested the mountain is a viable candidate for the translocation
of some species which require a colder climate due to climate change
.
In April 2001, a missing Aero Commander 500 was found on Thornton Peak.
Daintree Rainforest
The Daintree Rainforest is a tropical rainforest on the north east coast of Queensland, Australia, north of Mossman and Cairns. At around 1200 square kilometres the Daintree is the largest continuous area of tropical rainforest on the Australian continent...
to a height of 1374 m. The mountain is located about 32 km northwest of Cairns within the catchment of the Daintree River
Daintree River
The Daintree River runs through the Daintree Rainforest in the Cape Tribulation region of Queensland in northern Australia. It is located about 100 kilometres northwest of Cairns in far north tropical Queensland and drains an area of 2,125 square kilometres. The river, along with the Daintree...
.
It is Queensland's fourth highest peak after Mount Bartle Frere
Mount Bartle Frere
Mount Bartle Frere is the highest mountain in Queensland at an elevation of 1622 metres. The mountain was named after Sir Henry Bartle Frere, a British colonial administrator and then president of the Royal Geographical Society by George Elphinstone Dalrymple in 1873. Bartle Frere was British...
at 1622 m (5,322 ft), Mount Bellenden Ker
Mount Bellenden Ker
Mount Bellenden Ker is the second highest mountain in Queensland, Australia. It is named after the botanist John Bellenden Ker Gawler. Located 60 km south of Cairns near Babinda, it is adjacent to Mount Bartle Frere, the state's highest peak, part of the Bellenden Ker Range which is also...
at 1593 m (5,226 ft) and Mount Superbus
Mount Superbus
Mount Superbus lies 150 km south-west of Brisbane and is South East Queensland's highest peak at 1375 metres . At this elevation it is the third highest peak in Queensland. Only Mount Bellenden Ker at 1593 m and Mount Bartle Frere at 1622 m in Far North Queensland are higher.It has an...
at 1375 m (4,511 ft).
The peak is covered by rainforest
Rainforest
Rainforests are forests characterized by high rainfall, with definitions based on a minimum normal annual rainfall of 1750-2000 mm...
and is home to a number of endemic species. Thornton Peak is one of only three mountain tops that are home to the Cinereus Ringtail Possum
Cinereus Ringtail Possum
The Cinereus Ringtail Possum , also known as the Daintree River Ringtail Possum, is a species of possum found in northeastern Queensland, Australia. It was long believed to be the same as the Herbert River Ringtail Possum , but has recently been separated...
. A group of scientists have suggested the mountain is a viable candidate for the translocation
Translocation (Wildlife conservation)
Translocation in wildlife conservation means capture, transport and release or introduction of species, habitats or other ecological material from one location to another...
of some species which require a colder climate due to climate change
Effects of global warming on Australia
Predictions measuring the effects of global warming on Australia assert that climate change will negatively impact the continent's environment, economy, and communities...
.
In April 2001, a missing Aero Commander 500 was found on Thornton Peak.