Dianna Wells, Ellery Creek waterhole (PLACES WILDERNESS 2024)

The steep ridges behind this Ellery Creek waterhole within the MacDonnell Ranges in Central Australia are predominantly Heavitree Quartzite. Sand was transported by water currents in a predominantly fluvial environment. The sandstone beds were buried in water, silicified to quartzite and later uplifted and eroded by mountain building processes approximately 750 million years ago. Over thousands of years intermittent floods carved a canyon through the Heavitree Quartzite, the base of which is now this waterhole. This photograph reflects upon the role water has played in the creation of this wilderness landscape.

Images have been resized for web display, which may cause some loss of image quality. Note: Original high-resolution images are used for judging.