Q: What do Arkaroola Wilderness Sanctuary and the Antarctic Share?
A: Douglas Mawson
Sir Douglas Mawson described the Arkaroola area as the ‘gem of the Flinders Rangers: A Geologists paradise’. In 1910, ore samples of radium were discovered near Mt. Painter . These were sent to Adelaide where a young (later Sir) Douglas Mawson was responsible for identifying the uranium minerals.
Government Geologist Reg Sprigg, who had visited Arkaroola between 1937 and 1940 as a student of Sir Douglas Mawson, was taken out of the army to help assess the uranium potential of the area. As a geologist / biologist, Reg saw a need for the region to be protected.
The site continues its efforts in educating and preserving this historical site as a Wilderness Sanctuary and was recently designated as a Dark Sky Sanctuary by the International Dark Sky Association.
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