Bungle Bungles l Dazzling Landscape

Bungle Bungles Facts

The uniquely-named site known simply as the Bungle Bungles remains a truly remarkable geological feature. Rather unsurprisingly, this wonder of Nature also constitutes a principle component of a national park in the region in which it formed.
Despite its remarkable appearance, though, this astounding location remained virtually unknown to the rest of the world until 1982. The site suddenly came to the attention of the outside world due to the filming of a documentary about the site, fortunately for us.
The fascinating location actually played a very important role in the region in which it formed. That took place over an extended period of time, beginning long before that event. This importance arises due to cultural reasons, rather than geological one’s.
That holds true due to the fact that the fascinating Bungle Bungles played a role of great significance in the culture of the local Indigenous People. More specifically, the ancient Karjaganujaru Peoples represent the traditional owners of the stunning natural site.
The powerful cultural importance of the magnificent feature gained appropriate recognition in 2003. As a result, it officially became recognized as a World Heritage Site at that time. This provides it with a measure of protection from man’s depredations.

Bungle Bungles Physical Description

Perhaps most notably, the gorgeous Bungle Bungles represents an extensive geological formation. That holds true due to the impressive fact that the incredible feature actually covers an enormous amount of land. It covers an area of about 174 sq mi (450 sq km).

The wonder of Nature also includes several different types of features. This amazing fact only serves to further enhance its astounding nature. The most numerous of these features, however, remains the countless conical rock formations. These also come in all sizes.

But, Nature did not stop there when it decided to bless the amazing region. That’s because yet another easily noticeable aspect of the site exists. That’s comprised of the presence of layers of two different colored horizontal bands appearing within the structure.

These distinctive formations consist of two different colors. Each of these, though, actually has an entirely different formation. The stunning bands of dark orange actually have a sandstone composition. Yet that isn’t the only source of the intriguing color.

That remarkable hue itself comes from the presence of significant iron and manganese deposits. The accompanying dark gray section also consists of sandstone. That portion, however, developed with a strong presence of a specific form of cyanobacteria.

Bungle Bungles Location, Formation, and History

The stunning beauty of the Bungle Bungles formed in what now constitutes the western portion of the country of Australia. Because of its magnificent beauty and importance, it forms a central part of the Purnululu National Park, part of the Kimberley Region.

To fully appreciate its wonders, the visitor needs to comprehend its unusual formation. In point of fact, the majority of the magnificent conical structures formed from sandstone and conglomerates. They did not form overnight, though, not even close.

That’s due to the fact that these eye-catching structures first formed around a remarkable 350 million years ago. That places its formation in what’s known as the Carboniferous Period. Over time, the efforts of wind and rain had a dramatic effect on the structure.

Their actions gave the breathtaking Bungle Bungles the fascinating shape it has today. For a beginning, as water seeped into the rock during the night, it eventually expanded as it cooled. These small but extremely numerous cracks eventually eroded the stone.

The local inhabitants have a remarkable history with the range going back 20,000 years. It has not ceased, however. They have maintained a strong tie to the feature even today. In fact, the Australian government manages the park in conjunction with the aborigines.