IPPN Bursary Blog 2007

Wednesday, October 6, 2010

Uluru (Ayers Rock) at Sunset


After lunch we went on a tour of Kata Tjuta (the Olgas). They, like Uluru were formed about 550 million years ago when the area was at or below sea level. Mud and sand from rivers settled on the sea floor in layers called ‘alluvial fans’. As the sea levels fell and the mountains rose these fans were squeezed and tipped almost on end. Erosion and weathering removed much of the soluble salts and limestone to shape the rocky spectacles. Kata Tjuta is a series of strange dome shaped sandstone outcrops. End of geology lesson! It is like Uluru except that they are domes. We walked between the domes at Walpa Gorge and enjoyed the spectacular environs of red rock in the sunshine.
We then headed to Uluru for the sunset. Tourists must go to a designated area and as we pulled into the car park in front of us was a long line of tables with people sitting on Papal chairs. On the tables were drinks and nibbly bits. There was a buzz of excitement as some people asked for another drink-only kidding, the excitement was due to the changing colour of The Rock as the sun set. A special moment. There was a full moon also so the snaps should be good.

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