The Pinnacles limestone rock formation in Australia / SWNSAn unusual rock formation deep in the Australian outback could hold key clues to future climate change, now that it has finally been dated correctly.
The Pinnacles—part of the world’s largest wind-blown limestone belt, spanning more than 600 miles—are providing new insights into Earth’s ancient climate and changing landscape, after scientists investigated iron-rich nuggets found within.
A new study, published in the journal Science Advances, found they were formed about 100,000 years ago during what was the wettest period in the past half-million years for the area—very different from the Mediterranean climate Western Australia enjoys today.
Lead author Dr Matej Lipar says the “spectacular” finger-like stone pinnacles in Nambung National Park are a type of karst created by water dissolving rocks.
“These formations offer crucial insights into ancient climates and environments, but accurately dating them has been extremely challenging until now,” said Dr. Lipar, of Curtin University in Perth, Western Australia.
“Karst landscapes, like those in Nambung National Park, are found globally and serve as sensitive indicators of environmental change. Studying them within an accurate timeline helps us understand how Earth’s geological systems respond to climate shifts.
“We found this period was locally the wettest in the past half-million years, distinct from other regions in Australia and far removed from Western Australia’s current Mediterranean climate.”
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“An abundance of water during this time caused the limestone to dissolve, forming the distinctive pillars of the Pinnacles and creating the ideal environment for the iron nodules to develop,” explained Lipar, now at the Research Centre of the Slovenian Academy of Sciences and Arts.
Co-author Associate Professor Martin Danišík says the iron-rich nodules acted as “geological clocks”, trapping helium from the consistent radioactive decay of tiny quantities of naturally occurring uranium and thorium.
“Measuring this helium provides a precise record of when the nodules formed,” said Prof. Danišík, of Curtin University.
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“The innovative dating techniques developed in this study reveal the nodules date back about 100,000 years, highlighting an exceptionally wet climate period.”
Study co-author Associate Professor Milo Barham explained that being able to reconstruct past climate changes was important given the context it provides to understanding human evolution and ecosystems more broadly amid “dramatic” climate fluctuations over the past three million years.
“This new knowledge will enhance our understanding of global environments and ecosystems, helping us prepare for, and mitigate the impacts of, a warming planet,” said Dr. Barham, also of Curtin University.
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“This research not only advances scientific knowledge but also offers practical insights into climate history and environmental change, relevant to anyone concerned about our planet’s present and future.”
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