Gibson Desert, Desert ecoregion in Western Australia, Australia.
The Gibson Desert encompasses 155,000 square kilometers of red sandy dunes and salt pans between the Great Sandy Desert and Great Victoria Desert.
Explorer Ernest Giles named this desert in 1874 after Alfred Gibson, an expedition member who disappeared while searching for water sources.
The Pitjantjatjara people maintained their traditional hunting practices in this region until 1984, when severe drought conditions led them to relocate.
Access to the Gibson Desert requires specialized off-road vehicles and extensive preparation due to temperatures reaching 40 degrees Celsius.
The desert contains a protected nature reserve where kangaroos, emus, and desert-adapted reptiles thrive in elevations reaching 505 meters.
Location: Western Australia
Elevation above the sea: 505 m
GPS coordinates: -23.73000,127.99667
Latest update: May 27, 2025 06:58
The world's largest desert expanses range from the poles to subtropical areas. From Antarctica with its 14 million square kilometers to the Mojave plains, these regions are characterized by extreme conditions and low rainfall. Polar deserts dominate in area, followed by hot deserts like the Sahara and the Arabian Desert. Each region features specific geological and climatic characteristics, creating distinct landscapes.
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