Playas of inland Australia
Date
2010
Authors
Bourne, J.
Twidale, C.
Editors
Advisors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Type:
Journal article
Citation
Cadernos Laboratoiro Xeoloxico de Laxe, 2010; 35(35):71-98
Statement of Responsibility
Bourne, J.A. and Twidale, C.R.
Conference Name
Abstract
Playas, mostly in the form of salinas, are characteristic of the Australian arid zone. Many are associated with lunettes in sebkha complexes or assemblages and can be attributed to the deflation of bare alluvial flats. Many playas are structurally controlled. Lake Eyre, for example, occupies a downfaulted segment of the crust, and many other playas large and small are associated with faults. Lakes Frome, Callabonna, Blanche, and Gregory each displays a linear shoreline, but also and arguably, all are located on a regional structural arc. Lake Gairdner occupies a valley probably blocked by faulting. Others may be caused by preferential weathering along fracture zones, some linear but others arcuate. Many salinas are developed in dismembered rivers channels, the position and pattern of which are structurally determined. But many owe their existence to the interaction of several of these factors. The various salts precipitated in playas constitute a significant resource, regional and local, past, present and future.