Petermann Ranges facts for kids
The Petermann Ranges are a group of mountains in central Australia. They stretch for about 320 kilometers (200 miles). These ranges cross the border between Western Australia and the southwest part of the Northern Territory. The highest point in the Petermann Ranges is 1,158 meters (3,799 feet) above sea level.
These mountains were formed about 550 million years ago. This happened during a big event called the Petermann Orogeny. An orogeny is when the Earth's crust folds and pushes up to create mountain ranges. The Petermann Ranges are mostly made of strong rocks like granite, sandstone, and quartzite.
The Petermann Ranges include many different ridges and hills. In the Northern Territory, you can find sections like the Dean, Mannanana, Ilyaralona, Curdie, and Piultarana Ranges. There are also the Pottoyu Hills and some mountains that stand alone. In Western Australia, the ranges include the Hope and Dean Ranges.
History of the Name
The Petermann Ranges were named by an explorer named Ernest Giles. He traveled through this area in March 1874. He decided to give the mountains their name during his journey.
Importance for Nature
This area is very important for Australia's natural environment. It is home to many different plants and animals. Because of its special nature, there is a plan to protect the ranges. This plan involves creating an Indigenous Protected Area called the Katiti-Petermann Indigenous Protected Area. This special area would help to conserve (protect) the unique ecosystem of the ranges. An ecosystem includes all the living things and their environment in a specific area.
