Tumblagooda sandstone, Sandstone formation in Kalbarri National Park, Western Australia.
Tumblagooda sandstone is a geological formation that stretches across the coastal gorges near Kalbarri, displaying red and white horizontal bands created by iron oxide deposits. The exposed layers span hundreds of meters in height and can be examined from hiking trails throughout the park.
These formations developed millions of years ago when ancient rivers deposited sediments into a large sea, which then hardened into rock over time. Later, erosion and weathering carved the softer layers into the steep gorges and cliffs seen today around Kalbarri.
The sandstone cliffs sit within Aboriginal lands, where rock formations hold meaning in the stories and knowledge of Western Australian indigenous peoples.
Visitors get the best views of the rock formations by walking the park's designated trails, which lead to various viewpoints along the gorges. Sturdy footwear and plenty of water are essential, as the paths can be uneven and the area is exposed to sun and wind.
The rock surface preserves traces and burrows left by ancient arthropods from a time before dinosaurs, including an extinct species called Kalbarria that crawled on the seafloor. These fossil tracks show that the area was once a living ecosystem millions of years before more complex animals appeared on Earth.
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