Gibson Desert

The Gibson Desert is a Western Australian desert made up of sandhills and dry grass. The desert is about 155,000 square kilometers (60,000 square miles) in size. The only of the inhabitants of the area are Indigenous Australians. Wildlife includes the red kangaroo and the emu. The area was named after Alfred Gibson who perished while attempting to cross it during an expedition in 1874 with explorer Ernest Giles, who narrowly survived the same expedition.

Climate

Rainfall in the Gibson Desert ranges from 200mm (7.8 in) to 250mm (9.8 in) annually. The climate is generally hot; summer maximum temperatures rise above 40°C (104°F)whilst in winter this may fall to 18°C (64°F).

Environment and wildlife

Due to the lack of large scale farming or industry in the area, the environment of the region has been relatively unchanged in recent times. However, some external species have recently arrived. There are several sheep stations on the edge of the desert, but many are unused or unaccsessible.

Leisure and tourism

The Gibson Desert Nature Reserve is popular for four wheel drivers accessible from the famous Gunbarrel Highway.

Geography

The Gibson Desert is south of the Great Sandy Desert and north of the Great Victoria Desert. The altitude rises above 500 meters (1600 ft) and most larger settlements are in higher (and cooler) regions

References

Great Victoria and Gibson Deserts, Western Australia from Climate and Weather Atlas of Australia by Michael Thompson, verified 2006-01-23.
Gibson desert (AA1303), written by the World Wildlife Fund, from National Geographic magazine.

External links

Gibson Desert 1997; a photo album of the Gibson Desert by Stuart Jackson, Verified 2006-01-23

Deserts of Australia | Geography of Western Australia