Wonders of Oz: Uluru
12 May 2006
Uluru, also known as Ayers Rock, is a large sandstone rock formation in central Australia, in the Northern Territory. It is located in Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, 350 km southwest of Alice Springs at 25°20'41"S, 131°01'57"E. Uluru is sacred to the Pitjantjatjara (Aboriginal people of the area) and has many springs, waterholes, rock caves and ancient paintings.
Uluru is 346 metres high, 8 km (5 miles) around with a hard exterior compared to most other large rock formations which has prevented formation of scree slopes, resulting in the unusual steep faces down to ground level.
Uluru is often referred to as a monolith, and for many years it was even listed in record books as the world's largest monolith. However that description is inaccurate, as it is part of a much larger underground rock formation[1] which includes Kata Tjuta (also known as The Olgas) and Mount Connor. The world's largest monolith is Mt Augustus in Western Australia, which is more than 2.5 times the size of Uluru - it stands 858 metres above the surrounding plain, 1105 metres above sea level and covers 47.95 km2.
Uluru is notable for appearing to change colour as the different light strikes it at different times of the day and year, with sunset a particularly remarkable sight. The rock is made of sandstone infused with minerals like feldspar (Arkosic sandstone) that reflect the red light of sunrise and sunset, making it appear to glow. The rock gets its rust colour from oxidation. Rainfall is uncommon in the area around Uluru, but during wet periods, the rock acquires a silvery-gray color, with streaks of black algae on the areas serving as channels for water flow.
Kata Tjuta, also called Mount Olga or The Olgas, literally meaning 'many heads' owing to its peculiar formation, is another rock formation about 25 km from Uluru. Special viewing areas with road access and parking have been constructed to give tourists the best views of both sites at dawn and dusk.
On 26 October 1985, the Australian Government returned ownership of Uluru to the local Pitjantjatjara Aborigines, with one of the conditions being that the Anangu would lease it back to the National Parks and Wildlife for 99 years and that it would be jointly managed.
The Aboriginal community of Mutitjulu (pop. approx. 300) is near the western end of Uluru. From Uluru it is 17 km by road to the tourist town of Yulara (pop. 3,000), which is situated just outside of the National Park.
Climate
Central Australia enjoys sunshine all year-round and is famous for its clear blue skies. Rainfall, when it does come, is unpredictable and can occur at any time of the year depending on southern weather patterns, and caution should be taken during any rain in case of flash flooding.
Summer December to February, produces a dry heat and glorious sunshine, with temperatures reaching over 35C during the day, and dropping to around 20C at night.
Autumn March to May the climate is starting to cool down and day time temperatures drop to around 28C. Night temperatures also drop to a pleasantly cooler 13C during the evening.
Winter in this desert June to August offers glorious 20C days, but night time is chilly with temperatures dropping to 0C or below.
Spring September to November, brings out a carpet of colourful desert wild flowers as temperatures begin to rise towards the 30C mark during the day. Temperatures at night remain cool at around 14C.
Restrictions for Tourists
Climbing Uluru. The local Anangu request that visitors not climb the rock, partly due to the path crossing an important dreaming track, and also a sense of responsibility for the safety of visitors to their land. In 1983, then Prime Minister of Australia Bob Hawke promised to prohibit climbing, but access to climb Uluru was made a condition before title was officially given back to the traditional owners.
Climbing Uluru is a popular attraction for visitors. A chain handhold added in 1964 and extended in 1976 makes the hour long climb easier, but it is still a long and steep hike to the top. Over the years there have been several deaths mainly due to heart failure, as well as non-fatal heart attacks and other injuries.
Photographing Uluru. The Anangu also request that visitors not photograph certain sections of Uluru, for reasons related to traditional beliefs (called tjukurpa). These sections are the sites of gender-linked rituals, and are forbidden ground for Anangu of the opposite sex of those participating in the rituals in question. The photographic ban is intended to prevent Anangu from inadvertently violating this taboo by encountering photographs of the forbidden sites in the outside world.
Photography had formerly been permitted within these sites, and historical photographs of these formations continue to circulate through the world population at large. Signs have been posted around the restricted areas, to ensure that visitors will not violate the ban by mistake.
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