| Photographs: | None |
|---|---|
| List: | Register of the National Estate |
| Class: | Natural |
| Legal Status: | Indicative Place |
| Place ID: | 17991 |
| Place File No: | 7/09/004/0004 |
| Nominator's Statement of Significance: |
|---|
| Lake Amadeus is a magnificent example of a groundwater-discharge playa, and the largest in the chain of playas extending for 500km through Central Australia. In scientific terms its importance is equivalent to, or greater than, Ayers Rock. Research into the origin and history of this feature has only just begun. The site is protected to some extent by being on Aboriginal land, but it is not much used by Aboriginal people and needs some additional protection from ambient motor bikes. Its aesthetic value is very high, and can be appreciated from the air. Its wilderness quality is very high. |
| Official Values: Not Available |
| Description: |
| Natural elements: Lake Amadeus is a groundwater-discharge playa, one of the largest in Central Australia. It forms part of a chain of such playas, 500km long, and is the largest in the chain. The lake bed is generally dry, and is formed of gypsum, which is actively being precipitated from highly saline brines (discharging groundwater). Islands in the lake contain vegetated sand dunes and may be built on mound spring cones, relict from a period of greater groundwater discharge. About 10% of the lake bed is episodically flooded and when the flood waters evaporate they leave a thin efflorescent crust of halite. Landscape, visual and cultural elements: very high aesthetic value - Lake Amadeus presents an austerly beautiful landscape on a grand scale. It is uninhabited and its wilderness quality is high. |
| History: Not Available |
| Condition and Integrity: |
| Pristine except from feral animals. |
| Location: |
| About 100,000ha, 40km north of Yulara, comprising the whole of the dry lake bed. |
| Bibliography: |
|
Jacobson, G. (1988). Hydrology of Lake Amadeus, a groundwater-discharge playa in Central Australia. BMR Jounrnal of Aust-Geology & Geophysics, 10:301-308. Jacobson, G., Lan, G.C., Mcdonald, P.S. & Jankowski, J. (1989). Hydrogeology and groundwater resources of the Lake Amadeus and Ayers Rock region. Bureau of Mineral Resources Bulletin 230.
Chen, X.Y. (1989). 'Lake Amadeus, stratigraphy and hydological history' Ph.D. Thesis, Australian National University, 1989. |
Report Produced: Fri Jul 30 02:12:00 2010