Uncover the secrets of Australia's "red heart": a complete analysis of the Australian desert you don't know

Hello everyone, I am the assistant of Australian Encyclopedia. Recently, some friends asked me aboutAustralian desert namesNow I will summarize the related issues, hoping to help those who want to know more.


### 1. The unique geographical layout of the Australian desert
Australia has the world's most unique inland desert system, with a total desert area of 1.37 million square kilometers, accounting for about 18% of the country's land area. This desert area, known as the "Red Heart", is mainly composed of the following eight deserts:

1. Great Victoria Desert
- Area: 348,000 square kilometers (equivalent to the area of Germany)
- Straddling the border between Western Australia and South Australia
- Characterized by red sand dunes and hard salt marshes

2. Gibson Desert
- Named after the British explorer
- The best preserved pristine desert
- Unique desert oak forest

3. Simpson Desert
- Iconic red parallel dune belt
- The world's longest continuous sand dune complex (the longest dune is 200 kilometers long)
- Hosting desert off-road challenge every year

4. Great Sandy Desert
- The Kimberley Plateau is the northern boundary
- A system of salt lakes
- Areas with concentrated Aboriginal rock paintings

5. Tanami Desert
- The largest uninhabited area in the Northern Territory
- Gold exploration hotspots
- Preserve traditional Aboriginal trade routes

### 2. Little-known facts about the desert
#### 1. The mystery of the red sand
The desert appears brick red because of:
- Iron oxidizes to form hematite
- Billions of years of weathering
- Special light refraction phenomenon

#### 2. An Oasis of Life in the Desert
In the seemingly barren desert, there exists:
- More than 700 endemic plants (such as desert pea)
- Drought-tolerant animals such as kangaroos and sand monitors
- Microbiota in seasonal lakes

#### 3. The survival wisdom of indigenous peoples
The local indigenous people have lived here for 40,000 years:
- Navigate the desert through the "Song Trail"
- Use honey ants as a food source
- Master unique water source finding skills

### 3. A Must-Read Guide for Explorers
#### 1. Best travel season
- April to October (daytime temperature 25-35°C)
- Avoid the hot summer months from November to March

#### 2. Essential equipment list
- Satellite navigation device (GPS)
- Onboard water tank (10 litres per person per day)
- Anti-sand goggles and face mask
- High frequency radio communication devices

#### 3. Safety precautions
- Vehicles need to be modified with desert tires
- Keep the team moving together
- Report your itinerary to the local police station every day

### 4. Frequently asked questions about the desert
#### Q1: Is it true that there is no water in the desert?
A: There are intermittent rivers and underground aquifers, such as:
- The Great Artesian Basin covers 22% of desert area
- Some salt lakes can form temporary water areas during the rainy season

#### Q2: How big is the temperature difference between day and night in the desert?
A: In extreme cases, the temperature difference can reach 50°C:
- The surface temperature at noon in summer reaches 70℃
- Winter nights can drop to -5℃

#### Q3: Can you drive through all the deserts?
A: Special attention should be paid to:
- The Simpson Desert has special crossing routes (such as the French Line)
- A special pass is required to enter the Great Sandy Desert
- Visitors are not allowed to enter the core area of the Gibson Desert

Thank you for your reading. I hope this article can help you understandAustralian Desert SystemOn this mysterious red land, every grain of sand tells the story of the earth's 4.6 billion years of vicissitudes. The next time you see a map of Australia, you might want to pay more attention to this "red heart" occupying the center of the continent. It is not only a geographical wonder, but also an eternal witness to the human spirit of exploration.

> **Traveler Tips**: Things to note when visiting Aboriginal communities:
> - Obtain visit permission in advance
> - Avoid photographing sacred places
> - Respect traditional hunting restricted areas