Using satellite imagery, an international team of scientists led by geologist Matej Lipar from
Diagram showing the shape of a Miocene reef-like structure found in the Nullarbor Plain.
Authors: Lipar et al., Earth Surf. process. Landf., 2022
During the study, experts studied the plainNullarbor in southern Australia. In the past, there was a vast prehistoric ocean and an extraordinary landscape on its territory. Now it is a desert with limestone rocks, almost featureless and stretching for more than a thousand kilometers. But now scientists have figured out that the vast semi-arid expanse may not be so featureless.
Unlike many other parts of the world, a largepart of the Nullarbor Plain has hardly changed as a result of weathering and erosion processes over millions of years. This makes it a unique geological canvas that reflects ancient history. Therefore, scientists carefully studied the area.
Location maps of the Nullarbor Plain. Authors: Lipar et al., Earth Surf. process. Landf., 2022
“Thanks to satellite images from highpermits and field investigations, we have identified clear remains of the original seafloor structure preserved over millions of years. This is the first landform of this type to be discovered on the Nullarbor Plain,” explains geologist Milo Barham from Curtin University in Australia.
The reef-like landform isa round raised ring about 1,300 meters wide with a dome in the center. Remarkably, the ring-shaped mound cannot be explained by an extraterrestrial collision or any known deformation processes. However, its texture resembles those commonly found on the modern Great Barrier Reef. The relief appeared millions of years ago.
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