Skip to main content

Thank you for visiting nature.com. You are using a browser version with limited support for CSS. To obtain the best experience, we recommend you use a more up to date browser (or turn off compatibility mode in Internet Explorer). In the meantime, to ensure continued support, we are displaying the site without styles and JavaScript.

  • Letter
  • Published:

Widespread late Quaternary aridity in Western Australia

Abstract

UNTIL recently the only conclusive evidence of extended arid conditions during the late Wisconsin over the western part of the Australian continent, was largely provided by the submerged dunes of the Fitzroy estuary1,2. This evidence has been used to support the concept of global tropical aridity during the late Quaternary3. From a study of the late Quaternary sediments of the coastal areas of Western Australia, however, it has become apparent that stable dune fields and sand sheets of late Quaternary age are found throughout this region (Fig. 1).

This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution

Access options

Buy this article

Prices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkout

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Fairbridge, R. W., in Problems in Palaeoclimatology (edit. by Nairn, A.), 356 (Interscience, New York, 1964).

    Google Scholar 

  2. Jennings, J. N., Catena (in the press).

  3. Williams, M. A. J., Nature, 253, 617–618 (1975).

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  4. Veeh, H. M., J. geophys. Res., 71, 3379–3386 (1966).

    Article  ADS  CAS  Google Scholar 

  5. Van Andell, T. H., Heath, G. R., Moore, T. C., and McGeary, D. F. R., Am. J. Sci., 256, 737–758 (1967).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  6. Bowler, J. M., Earth Sci. Rev. (in the press).

  7. Gentilli, J., in World Survey of Climatology, 13 (edit. by Landsberg, K.), 35–211 (Elsevier, Amsterdam, 1971).

    Google Scholar 

  8. Kidson, E., Aust. Bur. Met. Bull., 17 (1925).

  9. Falls, R., Proc. Symp. Trop. Met., E.V.1—E.V.8 (Am. Met. Soc./W.M.O., Honolulu, 1970).

  10. Rutherford, G. T., and Hannan, F. T., Proc. Tropical Cyclone Symp., 379–390 (Bur. Met. Aust., Melbourne, 1956).

  11. Gates, W. L., Science, 191, 1138–1144 (1976).

    Article  ADS  CAS  Google Scholar 

  12. Climap members, Science, 191, 1131–1136 (1976).

  13. Webster, P. J., and Streten, N. A., in Bridge and Barrier: The Natural and Cultural History of Torres Strait (edit. by Walker, D.) 39, (Research School of Pacific Studies, Pub. B6/3, A.N.U. Canberra, 1972).

    Google Scholar 

  14. Gentilli, J., West. Aust. Nat., 2(8), 175–184 (1951).

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

WYRWOLL, KH., MILTON, D. Widespread late Quaternary aridity in Western Australia. Nature 264, 429–430 (1976). https://doi.org/10.1038/264429a0

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/264429a0

This article is cited by

Comments

By submitting a comment you agree to abide by our Terms and Community Guidelines. If you find something abusive or that does not comply with our terms or guidelines please flag it as inappropriate.

Search

Quick links

Nature Briefing

Sign up for the Nature Briefing newsletter — what matters in science, free to your inbox daily.

Get the most important science stories of the day, free in your inbox. Sign up for Nature Briefing