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20°S 139°E Waggaboonyah Range – Queensland by Degrees |
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AT THE POINT
Location: Degree Confluence 20°S 139°E is in the heart of the Barkly Tableland in western Queensland. The degree square is named after the Waggaboonyah Range, which is approximately 30km east of the confluence. A dirt track, which is accessible via the Barkly Highway to the south-west, comes within 3 km of the confluence. The remaining distance was traversed by 4WD across country by an expedition of RGSQ members in May 2008. The nearest settlement is Gunpowder, approximately 50 km to the north-east, and within Degree Square 20°S 139°E. Landscape: Degree Confluence 20°S 139°E is located on predominately flat terrain with an elevation of approximately 315 m (Natmap Raster, 250K Maps). The vegetation community is woodland, with trees of 6-10 meters height, tussock grass and numerous bushes present. Bare patches of ground are visible in places. The geological features of the surrounding area are complex and diverse. There are many mines in the rugged country of the east, north-east and south-east portions of the degree square. The confluence itself is located on Lower Proterozoic dolomite, siltstone and sandstone (Scanned 250K Geology Maps, Geoscience Australia). Areas nearby are overlain by Tertiary duricrust. The folded surface strata trend north-south. Saga Creek, 2km to the north, is the closest watercourse to the confluence. It flows into the Inca Creek to the west, and eventually joins the Buckley River, 30 km to the south-west. The Buckley River joins the Georgina River just inside the Northern Territory border. Running across the degree square is the subtle divide separating the south-flowing streams that drain into Lake Eyre Basin from the north-flowing streams that flow into the Gulf of Carpentaria (via the Gregory and Leichardt Rivers).
Degree Confluence 20°S 139°E (Google Earth image) Point Information By: Jo Grant
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IN THE DEGREE SQUARE
Climate: The closest representative weather station to the confluence is at Camooweal, which is approximately 88 km to the west of the degree confluence, and has an elevation of 231 m. The station has been recording data since 1891.
The highest temperature recorded was 46.6°C in December 1990, and the lowest -2.2°C in June 1971. The greatest rainfall recorded in a year was 1003.3 mm in 1974, and the lowest was 100.4 mm in 2001. These and other climate statistics for Camooweal can be found at: Australian Bureau of Meteorology, http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/averages/tables/cw_037010_All.shtml Extremes of Nature: The area is subject to some cyclone impact. The database maintained by the Bureau of Meteorology shows that since 1906, 17 cyclones have passed within 200 km of the degree confluence, however none of these came within 50 km. Even distant cyclones bring with them potentially destructive winds and intense rainfall. Cyclone information for this area and all of Australia can be found at the Australian Bureau of Meteorology website, http://www.bom.gov.au/cgi-bin/silo/cyclones.cgi. Extreme heat is also a danger. Records show that the Camooweal Station experiences 155 days annually with temperatures 35°C or warmer, 36 days of which can even reach over 40°C. Such extreme temperatures can cause heat stroke and death if appropriate measures are not taken such as avoiding strenuous physical effort, keeping as cool as possible and drinking lots of water. Heat waves kill more people in Australia than all other natural hazards combined. Today: Mount Isa in the degree square is an important mining town for Australia.
Mount Isa, with the mine area just to the west of the town (Google Earth image) REFERENCES Geoscience Australia, NATMAP Raster Geoscience Australia, Scanned 250 K Geology Maps
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Last updated 29
September 2009. Webpage created by Hayley Freemantle. |
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