Paralana Springs
Designation:
Australia-SA_Paralana
Location:
| Latitude | Longitude |
|---|---|
-30.182862° | 139.449592° |
Locality and ownership:
Wooltana Station SA Pastoral Lease 2293.
Access:
No entry.
Local contacts:
Doug Sprigg at Arkaroola
Nearest services:
Arkaroola Village.
Risks:
Local signs warn of the risk of being overcome by radioactive radon gas from the lake.
Terrain:
creek bed, hot springs
General:
The hot spring lies in the bed of Paralana Creek, where it crosses a splay off the Paralana fault. The rocks in this area are extensively brecciated and show goethite-kalonite alteration. The spring water is at a temperature of 60 deg at source. Associated with the groundwater discharge is extensive gas venting, typically nitrogen and carbon dioxide. The water is radioactive, attributed to dissolved radon and radium. A sulphurous smell is noticeable and sediments in the creekbed below the surface are stained black suggestive of sulphate reductrion. There is an extensive microbial community that includes mats on the bottom of the pool and creek, columnar growths and floating mats. These have a rubbery texture.
Climate:
Flora and fauna:
Calitris (cypress) pines. Kerosene bush.
History:
Analogue value:
Paralana hot spring is an excellent locality for extemeophiles, not onlybecause of high temperature but because of high background radioactivity. This is relevant to possible Martian oases associated with modern thermal springs on Mars that will be exposed to high levels of cosmic radiation.
References:
- van Oosterzee, P. A 2000. Field Guide to Central Australia. Marleston, SA: J.B. Books.
Map reference:
Geology
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