Desert Pavements…Sturt Stony Desert

A desert pavement is a desert surface that is covered with closely packed, interlocking angular or rounded rock fragments of pebble and cobble size.

Image

Several theories have been proposed for their formation.[1] The more common theory is that they form by the gradual removal of the sand, dust and other fine grained material by the wind and intermittent rain leaving only the larger fragments behind. This does not continue indefinitely, however, because once the pavement has been formed it can act as a barrier to further erosion. Secondly, it has been proposed that desert pavement forms from the shrink/swell properties of the clay underneath the pavement; when precipitation is absorbed by clay it causes it to expand and later when it dries it cracks along planes of weakness. This geomorphic action is believed to have the ability to transport small pebbles to the surface over time; it stays this way due to the lack of abundant precipitation that would otherwise destroy the pavement development through transport of the clasts or excessive vegetative growth.

Image

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tirari-Sturt_stony_desert

The Tirari-Sturt stony desert ecoregion contains the gibber plains (desert pavement) and red sands of the large Sturt Stony Desert, the Tirari Desert to its southwest and the Flinders and Gawler Ranges to the south. The Tirari has more sand dunes than the Sturt Stony Desert and has also been the site of some important fossil findings. Towns of the ecoregion include the opal mining centre of Cooper Pedy, famous for its underground dwellings. the climate is very hot with summer temperatures reaching 50°C.

The region consists of the Stony Plains, Gawler, Flinders Lofty Block and the Broken Hill Complex bioregions of the Interim Biogeographic Regionalisation for Australia

Image

 

Published by Ladymaggic

Artist, Traveller, Researcher and Writer, currently living in Australia where I photograph and share experiences and events as I travel. Travel photos and videos about many places in Australia​ and the world

Rossville Retreat

Bush Camping by Black Mountain, Cooktown, Queensland

Station Cook

Nutritious, tasty and energy giving foods cooked simply and daily to feed hard workers

Roads Lesser Traveled

Life is just down the road lesser traveled....

Profusión Real Estate

Te mostramos tu hogar

Fotoclub Bergamo

La continuità nella fotografia tradizionale

Roadtirement

"Traveling and Retired"

The Godly Chic Diaries

BY GRACE THROUGH FAITH

kouklahouse.wordpress.com/

Back in Zak, after a quick trip up to Epirus, northern Greece

bushboys world

Photos of my world and other stuff I hope you will enjoy too. Photos taken with Canon PowershotSX70HS Photos can be purchased.

Living in Natures Love

Simple & loving hacks for whole health; mind, body & spirit

Myrela

Art, health, civilizations, photography, nature, books, recipes, etc.

Artistcoveries

Discovering the joy of art

blackwings666

Horror, Science Fiction, Comic Books and More

Meandering My Way...

Enjoying wherever the road takes me.

Food & Fiction

A place I can share receipes and give you something interesting for your imagination.

%d bloggers like this: