The landscapes of the Back Country are some of the most unique places on earth

Hay sits on ancient puzzle: Scientists baffled by what's under our feet

Location: Hay, NSW - A recent scientific study has shone a spotlight on the mysterious geological region right under our feet – the Hay-Booligal Zone. Imagine a massive, hidden jigsaw puzzle piece buried deep beneath the surface, stretching 260 kilometres wide, all the way from Hay to Booligal.

This "piece", the Hay-Booligal Zone, is a hidden layer of ancient rock beneath the Murray Basin. Scientists are scratching their heads over its age and where it came from. Some believe it's a remnant of an ancient microcontinent – a piece of land that existed billions of years ago – that drifted and eventually smashed into the edge of the Gondwana supercontinent. Others think it might be younger, formed during the Paleozoic era.

Adding to the intrigue, the type of rock found deep below the Hay-Booligal Zone doesn't match what you'd expect for its theorized age. This has led to some wild theories, including the possibility of ancient tectonic "traffic jams" and even the influence of a super-heated mantle plume – a giant upwelling of molten rock from deep within the Earth.

One thing's for sure: the Hay-Booligal Zone is a geological enigma. Further research is needed to unlock the secrets hidden beneath the surface of our seemingly familiar landscape. Who knows what other surprises lie buried beneath our feet?

Koonenberry Fault Belt: A Time Capsule of Ancient Earth

Location: Grassmere, Kara, Packsaddle and Wertago, NSW

Journey to the northwestern corner of New South Wales, and you'll find yourself in the Koonenberry Fault Belt, a region where the Earth's ancient history is etched in stone. This belt is a geological tapestry woven from layers of sediment and volcanic rock, each telling a story of dramatic events that unfolded millions of years ago.

Imagine a time when this area was a restless landscape of erupting volcanoes and shifting seas. Rivers carried sand and mud, depositing them in layers on the ocean floor. Volcanoes spewed lava and ash, creating a chaotic mix of fiery rock and water. Over time, these layers piled up, capturing snapshots of this dynamic period.

The Koonenberry Fault Belt bears witness to the colossal forces that shaped our continent. As tectonic plates collided, they created mountains, triggered earthquakes, and caused molten rock to rise from deep within the Earth. This tumultuous past is reflected in the twisted and contorted rocks found in the region.

Today, the Koonenberry Fault Belt offers a window into the deep past, allowing scientists to piece together the story of ancient Australia. By studying the layers of rock, they can unravel the sequence of events that shaped this land, from volcanic eruptions and earthquakes to the slow accumulation of sediment on the seafloor. It's a reminder that the seemingly solid ground beneath our feet has a long and dramatic history, shaped by forces that continue to shape our planet today.

Ancient Volcanoes and Shifting Seas: Uncovering the History of the Bancannia Trough

Location: Fowlers Gap North, Little Topar and Packsaddle, NSW

Out west, near the edge of the ancient Curnamona Craton, lies another fascinating geological feature: the Bancannia Trough. This trough, part of the Darling Basin, tells a story of fiery volcanic activity and dramatic shifts in ancient seas.

Imagine a time when volcanoes erupted across the landscape, spewing lava and ash. This volcanic activity, which occurred millions of years ago, formed the foundation of the Bancannia Trough. Over time, layers of sediment – sand, silt, and even pebbles – were carried by rivers and ocean currents, gradually burying the volcanic rocks.

These layers, like pages in a history book, reveal clues about the past. Scientists have found ripple marks from ancient rivers, traces of shallow seas, and even fossils of creatures like brachiopods and trilobites, which lived in the Devonian period, almost 400 million years ago.

The Bancannia Trough also provides evidence of how the landmasses we know today were once arranged. The types of volcanic rocks found here suggest that a massive tectonic plate was pushing beneath the eastern edge of Gondwana, the ancient supercontinent. This process, called subduction, created a volcanic arc along the edge of the continent.

By studying the Bancannia Trough, scientists are piecing together the complex geological puzzle of our region, revealing a past shaped by fiery eruptions, ancient seas, and the slow, relentless movement of continents.