Uluru / Ayers Rock, Northern Territory, Australia

Uluru / Ayers Rock is a massive rock structure located in Northern Territory, Australia. Consisting of red sandstone that is relatively resistant to weathering, Uluru / Ayers Rock prominently rises 348 meters above the surrounding lowlands. The structure has likely been formed by sediment deposition in alluvial fans associated with mountain uplift during the late Neoproterozoic to early Cambrian (~ 550 million years ago), followed by tilting in the Paleozoic (~ 400 million years ago). Subsequent erosion of the surrounding rocks and the formation of iron oxides further shaped Uluru / Ayers Rock into its present state as a majestic red mountain.


Information source: Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park Service

Image: Uluru / Ayers Rock at sunset in Northern Territory, Australia. Credit: Weyf, Wikimedia Commons.

The Twelve Apostles, Victoria, Australia

The Twelve Apostles is a group of rock structures along the Great Ocean Road in Victoria, Australia. These limestone pillars were formed by wave erosion of caves and arches along the mainland cliffs. Eight pillars of the Twelve Apostles still remain, but there were only nine pillars in total.


Information source: Twelve Apostles Marine National Park Service

Image: The Twelve Apostles along the Great Ocean Road in Victoria, Australia. Source: Mike Lehmann, Wikimedia Commons.