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Murphys Haystacks
Murphy's Haystacks

Murphy's Haystacks are amazing and unique rock formations found in South Australia. They look a bit like giant stacks of hay, which is how they got their interesting name! These huge rocks are actually a type of inselberg, which means they are isolated hills or rock formations that rise suddenly from a flat plain. They are located at Mortana, a place between Streaky Bay and Port Kenny on the beautiful Eyre Peninsula.

What Are Murphy's Haystacks Made Of?

Murphy's Haystacks are made from a type of rock called granite. This granite is usually pink and has large grains, meaning you can often see the different minerals that make it up. The main minerals you'd find in these rocks are quartz and orthoclase. Quartz is a very common, hard mineral, and orthoclase is a type of feldspar, which is also a common rock-forming mineral.

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The overhanging dome formation is approximately 8 metres (26 ft) high.

How Did These Giant Rocks Form?

The unique shape of Murphy's Haystacks is due to a long process of natural shaping. Imagine the granite being deep underground for millions of years. Rainwater, which is slightly acidic, slowly seeped into cracks in the rock. This process, called erosion, gradually wore away the softer parts of the granite.

Later, as the land above them wore away, these granite rocks became exposed to the air. Once exposed, they continued to be shaped by weathering. Weathering is the process where rocks are broken down by wind, water, and temperature changes. The rocks often have special cracks called sheet joints that run vertically or in layers. These joints help the rocks break apart into the rounded, stacked shapes we see today. Most of these rock pillars rise smoothly from the granite below, showing how they are all connected.

How Did Murphy's Haystacks Get Their Name?

The name "Murphy's Haystacks" comes from a funny story. A long time ago, a traveler was riding in a coach and saw these large rock formations in the distance. From far away, they looked exactly like huge stacks of hay that a farmer might have piled up in a field.

The traveler was very surprised and asked how a farmer could possibly produce so much hay! It turned out that the farm where these rocks were located belonged to a man named Murphy. So, because they looked like haystacks on Murphy's property, the rocks became known as Murphy's Haystacks.

Protecting These Amazing Rocks

Murphy's Haystacks are not just interesting to look at; they are also important. They are officially listed on the South Australian Heritage Register. This means they are recognized as a special part of South Australia's natural and historical heritage. This listing helps to protect these unique rock formations so that people can continue to visit and enjoy them for many years to come.

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Reverse side of the formation
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