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Mount Oxley (New South Wales)

Coordinates: 30°11.968′S 146°14.377′E / 30.199467°S 146.239617°E / -30.199467; 146.239617
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Mount Oxley
Highest point
Elevation307 m (1,007 ft)
Coordinates30°11.968′S 146°14.377′E / 30.199467°S 146.239617°E / -30.199467; 146.239617
Geography
Locationnear Bourke, New South Wales, Australia
CountryAustralia
Geology
Age of rockCretaceous
Mountain typesedimentary

Mount Oxley is situated 32 km (20 mi) from Bourke in outback Australia. It appears as a mesa-like inselberg, rising 150 metres (500 ft) above the Western Plains of New South Wales. It is a small relic of a formerly large sedimentary rock formation, mostly now eroded away.[1][2] The underlying and surrounding rocks are sedimentary sandstone and metamorphic quartzite.[3] Named after the explorer John Oxley, the mountain is known as Oombi Oombi to the Indigenous Australians.[4] Archaeological evidence suggested that they quarried the area for grinding stones. Stones from Mount Oxley were highly regarded and expensive, and reportedly managed by indigenous elders.[5]

Plants growing here have adapted to the semi arid climate. They include species of Acacia, the Desert Bloodwood, Weeping Pittosporum and Leopardwood. Wildflowers of the daisy family are prominent after rain. Animals seen here include Western grey kangaroo and feral goats. Wedge-tailed Eagles are often seen flying above the mountain. The first white man to visit the mountain was Charles Sturt in December 1828.[6] He mentioned "a report as of a gun discharge" near Mount Oxley. He surmised "it might be some gaseous explosion".[7]

A number of small crater-like rocky formations may be seen in two distinct lines on the top part of the mountain.[3] There is ongoing speculation regarding their formation. The most likely explanation for the explosions and craters is geological. Other theories include meteors, evil spirits, omens, artillery, animals or unidentified human activity.[8][9]

Mount Oxley has been mooted as a site for a seven-turbine 18 megawatt wind farm.[10]

References

  1. ^ Süssmilch, C A. "Mount Oxley". An introduction to the geology of New South Wales. Retrieved 23 April 2012.
  2. ^ "Mount Oxley and Coolabah Geological Mapping Project Project update – December 2011" (PDF). Geological Survey of NSW. NSW Trade & Investment – Resources & Energy. Retrieved 23 April 2012. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |group= ignored (help)
  3. ^ a b Cuneo, W.A. (2 October 1918). "A Glimpse of the Western Plains". The Sydney Mail. p. 9. Retrieved 26 April 2012.
  4. ^ Jones, Garry (2009). "Yengo Country: A Source of Cultural and Spiritual Awakening" (PDF). Retrieved 27 April 2012.
  5. ^ George L. Benwell, Bruce R McLennan, Thomas Grasberger & John Fryer. "Spatial Data Analysis of Aboriginal Rock Extraction Sites at Brewarrina, NSW, Australia" (PDF). University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand. Retrieved 23 April 2012.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  6. ^ Mount Oxley – The History & The Mystery (Brochure 2005)
  7. ^ "Mount Oxley". Outback New South Wales. Travel Downunder. Retrieved 23 April 2012.
  8. ^ "Mysterious Mount Oxley". Mount Oxley. Outback Online. Retrieved 23 April 2012.
  9. ^ "Mount Oxley". MYSTERIOUS MOUNDS, CURIOUS CRATERS, ROCK PILES & OTHER DISTURBANCES. Geosites Zoom Share. Retrieved 23 April 2012.
  10. ^ Attention: This template ({{cite doi}}) is deprecated. To cite the publication identified by doi:10.1016/S1471-0846(07)70110-5, please use {{cite journal}} (if it was published in a bona fide academic journal, otherwise {{cite report}} with |doi=10.1016/S1471-0846(07)70110-5 instead.

See also

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