From the BBC comes news that Coral growth in Australia's Great Barrier Reef has had it's slowest growth in the past 400 years. Researchers from the Australian Institute of Marine Science studied 328 colonies of corals from 69 locations around Australia, and concluded that global warming and the increasing acidity of seawater are the culprits. To read the article, click here, or click here to read the official press release.

01/05/09 by visitEarth
Tags: Australia, Great Barrier Reef, coral, growth, reef, underwater, climate change, global warming

 

Uluru (Ayers Rock)

Courtesy of Forbes Traveler is a new list of top attractions and activities in Australia. From hiking interesting rock formations around Uluru to dining at the Sydney Opera House, this article shows just how much outdoor activities there are to see and do down under. To watch the slideshow, click here.

11/18/08 by visitEarth
Tags: Australi, travel, things to do, top, lists, Uluru, Sydney, Sydney Opera House, outback

 

Gary Cranitch, Queensland Museum

Here's a great photo slide show from BBC showing a few of the new and indigenous species off the coast of Australia. The nudibranches are always my favourite, but some of the other photos are quite incredible, such as the comb jellyfish above and new soft coral. To view the slideshow, click here.

09/18/08 by visitEarth
Tags: Australia, Great Barrier Reef, species, discovery, Australian coast, jellyfish, coral

 

Thomas Schoch

Here's a good idea for a trip if you're in Australia, the 3-day Indian Pacific train operated by Great Southern Rail. It starts off in Sydney, then travels through the famous Blue Mountains, through the Outback before ending in Perth. The author focuses on American readers, with prices in US Dollars and comparisons to Amtrak, but still some good reference material. Sounds like an interesting way to travel! To read the article, click here.

07/24/08 by visitEarth
Tags: Syndey, Perth, Australia, Indian Pacific, railway, train, Blue Mountains, Outback

 

Scientists in Western Australia have discovered diamond slivers containing carbon in crystals that appear to date back some 4.4 Billion years ago. This suggests that the earliest life forms appeared on earth 500 million years earlier than previously thought. The findings are quite new and still up for debate since there is a possibility of contamination and other uncertainties. But this article is certainly worth a read - to learn more, click here.

07/11/08 by visitEarth
Tags: Australia, Western Australia, life, earliest life, carbon, crystals, diamond, Jack Hills