Ayers Rock
Ayers Rock was discovered in 1972 by Ernest Giles and was named after the Premier of South Australia, Sir Henry Ayers. It is the world most famous monolith and the tallest rock in Australia with its highest point at 348 metres. Ayers Rock is also known by its aboriginal name 'Uluru'.
The multi-coulured mountain is wonderful to see.
Ayers Rock is near the border of the Northern Territory. It is about 75km from the South Australian border. Its closest town is about 470km northeast, known as Alice Springs.
Ayers Rock stands in a hollow in the swirling winds and sands of the desert. The circumference is 9.4km and it is about 3.6km long and 2km wide. Ayers Rock is composed of grey sand, but because it has much metal in it, it rusts. Also theres much red sand on it and thats why it is red.
There are many grooves and holes on the surface of the rock, which have been formed by the erosion caused by winds and rain.
It looks very spectacular at sunset, when its colour seems to change from orange over red to purple.
Ayers Rock is called as once of the great wonders of the world. In the past, 6oo million years ago, it was a part of the ocean floor at the center of Australia. It belonged to mountains, than it broke and became a rock, that lies alone and because of the ozone hole the ocean is dried up.
About 650 000 people came each year from all over the world, so that they can see how the rock change its colour or that they can climb the rock. There are metal chains to help people climb it, because it's very steep.
