Ancient Limestone Formations in Australia Reveal 100,000-Year-Old Climate Secrets

New research uncovers how Western Australia's Pinnacles were shaped by an exceptionally wet period distinct from today's climate.

Researchers from Curtin University have dated the Pinnacles in Western Australia to about 100,000 years ago, during the wettest period in the region's last half-million years.
The study utilized innovative dating techniques measuring helium trapped in iron-rich nodules to precisely determine the age of the formations.
These limestone pillars, found in Nambung National Park, are part of a karst landscape formed by water dissolving rock, offering insights into ancient climates.
The findings highlight significant climate shifts in the area, contrasting sharply with the current Mediterranean climate of Western Australia.
This research enhances understanding of global environmental changes and provides context for addressing the impacts of modern climate change.