Tsunamis: how they form - Australian Geographic
Mar 18, 2011 · TSUNAMIS WERE VIRTUALLY UNHEARD of in the mass media until the catastrophic monster waves that struck on Boxing Day in 2004.But large events like the earthquake and tsunami in Chile in 2010 and the recent Japanese disaster have put tsunamis back into the public consciousness.. Though they have occurred through history, their unpredictability and infrequency makes them difficult to study.
Top 10 ingenious Aussie animal adaptations - Australian Geographic
Feb 4, 2016 · A humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae).Image credit: shutterstock. Humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) have notches on the very front of their fins that act as little gutters that create small whirlpools against the sides of the fins.These whirlpools act as a barrier between the surface and the still water around it.
The corals of the Great Barrier Reef: illustrated
Jun 30, 2017 · There are more than 600 coral species in the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, which covers 344,400sq.km of ocean. Corals are colonies of tiny polyps, which are animals related to sea anemones and jellyfish.A reef begins when a polyp attaches to a rock on the seabed and divides into clones. These connect, creating a …
The world’s 10 most devastating volcanic eruptions
The 2010 eruption of Eyjaflallajokull in Iceland resulted in the largest air-traffic shut-down since World War II, with over 100,000 flights cancelled, costing the airline industry worldwide an estimated US$1.7 billion.
20 Aussie frogs you need to know about - Australian Geographic
Oct 10, 2017 · The much-photographed red-eyed tree frog lives in the rainforest canopy, coming down to breed after rain. It has been known to launch itself from a high branch after insects and land safely many meters below. Extensive webbing on its feet and its adoption of a glider-like posture in midair suggest the species may be developing the ability to control such descents.
A guide to Australia’s possums and gliders - Australian Geographic
Jul 25, 2019 · In the black of night, Australia’s 27 species of possum and glider scamper across our roofs, dart along branches in secluded rainforests or peer tentatively from tiny hidey-holes.. Hissing, growling or completely silent, they perform a circus act of acrobatic feats, the larger gliders spreading their gliding membranes to travel more than 100 m at a single jump.
Australia’s 10 most dangerous snakes - Australian Geographic
Jul 25, 2012 · A western brown snake (Pseudonaja nuchalis).Image credit: shutterstock. Said to be less aggressive than its eastern cousin, the western brown snake is still highly dangerous and part of the group of snakes that causes the most fatalities in Australia.Western browns tend to be fast moving and nervous in temperament.
The owls of Australia - Australian Geographic
Image credit: shutterstock. The well-known call of this medium sized hawk-owl is synonymous with that of a dog’s bark— “woof woof”. The Barking Owl inhabits drier woodland and forest type zones, often in edge habitats nearing watercourses such as creeks.
Everything you need to know about snakes - Australian Geographic
Feb 22, 2016 · Relying on sight, smell, and vibrations, smell is their strongest sense. Flicking out their tongue, they are able to taste particles in the air; these chemicals are then processed by the Jacobson’s organ and allow the snakes to visualise their surroundings.
Fact File: Koala (Phascolarctos cinereus) - Australian Geographic
Koalas use several sounds, including growling, belching, and bellowing to communicate with each other. Image credit: shutterstock. Once the juvenile koala is weaned from milk, it feeds on an unusual soft liquid faeces called pap, from its mother.This substance is thought to introduce the right bacteria to the joey which is necessary for digesting gum leaves.