Ayers rock is also known as Uluru Rock. It is considered as one of the natural icons of Australia. It is present in Uluru-Kata Tjuta National park 450 km away from Alice Springs in Northern Territory state,central part of Australia.
Ayers Rock of Australia
Uluru, a large sandstone formed 300 millions of years ago due to variations in the climatic conditions and Earth Crust. A remarkable pebble, second largest single stone in the world is the Uluru after Mount Augustus in Australia. Scientists estimate that the rock what we can see at present is part of much larger rock that extend 5.8 kms underground. This rock is 348 meters in height and the circumference of the rock is measured to be 9.4 kms. Visitors climb this rock with joy.
The original name Uluru was named as Ayers Rock by William Gosse , a surveyor in the honour of Sir Henry Ayers, Premier of Southern Australia.
This rock is composed of Arkose , a mixture of feldspar, quartz, particles of sand ,clay, iron oxide traces, and other small rocks. As the rock is exposed to sun the traces of iron get oxidized giving a rust colour to the rock. The light show exhibited by the rock at sun set time is amazing.The rock can be seen in colors like brown, orange, crimson red, light violet or mauve and finally gray. The secret behind the changing colors of rock is due to the “variations of Sun”.
To the west of Uluru rock at a distance of 25 kms is Kata Tjuta which is also known as The Olgas or Mount Olga. Kata Tjuta literally means “many heads” .Unlike Uluru a single rock it comprises of 36 separate rocks of dome shaped with highest dome of 548 metres. Kata Tjuta is cracked and broken to form several rocks with network of canyons and valleys. Like Ayers this also exhibits colors.Both Uluru and Olgas have great cultural significance for the locals.
The region of Uluru is rich in flora and fauna. Apart from beautiful landscape it comprises of rock caves, ancient paintings, water holes and springs. Uluru is a sacred place to the aboriginal people.
Have thrill and joy visiting the natural color changing rock of Australia.
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