Damon Mcknight
Australia is the driest inhabited continent on Earth, with Antarctica being the driest continent overall. Australia's tropical/subtropical location and cold waters off the western coast make most of Western Australia a hot desert with aridity a marked feature of a greater part of the continent. These cold waters produce very little moisture, which is much needed on the mainland. Australia's climate is influenced by its land size and the sinking hot air of the subtropical high-pressure belt, which moves south and north in tandem with the seasons.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Driest inhabited continent | Second driest continent after Antarctica |
| Annual rainfall | 419 mm (16 inches) |
| Percentage of land receiving less than 600 mm of rainfall annually | 80% |
| Percentage of land receiving less than 300 mm of rainfall annually | 50% |
| Percentage of land that is desert | 20% |
| Average annual evaporation rate | 98.4 inches per year |
| Average annual rainfall in certain regions | 11.8 inches per year |
| Land mass | 2.97 million square miles |
| Position | Near the center of a tectonic plate |
| Elevation | Low (300 meters or less than 1000 feet) |
| Temperature | Highest extended region year-round, hottest summer climate, and highest sunshine duration |
| Water consumption | Among the world's highest consumers of water |
| Water usage by agriculture | 50-70% |
| Climatic conditions | Wide variation due to geographical size, tropical/subtropical location, and cold waters off the western coast |
| Climate change impacts | Droughts, heatwaves, floods, bushfires, tropical cyclones, dust storms, tornadoes |
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What You'll Learn
Australia's subtropical location and ocean currents
Australia is the driest inhabited continent on Earth, with Antarctica being the driest uninhabited continent. Australia's tropical/subtropical location and ocean currents play a significant role in its arid climate.
The subtropical high-pressure belt (subtropical ridge) brings dry air down from the upper atmosphere onto the continent. This high-pressure system is typically located south of Australia during the summer and over the north in the winter, resulting in dry summers in the south and dry winters in the north. Australia's proximity to the Southern Ocean also means it is not subject to frigid polar air during winter, which contributes to its mild winters.
The ocean currents off the western coast of Australia are another crucial factor in the continent's dryness. These cold waters produce little moisture, contributing to the arid climate of Western Australia. The El Niño-Southern Oscillation also significantly influences Australia's climate, causing extensive droughts and considerable wet periods.
The dryness of Australia is further exacerbated by its low annual average rainfall, with 80% of the land receiving less than 24 inches of precipitation annually, and 50% getting less than 12 inches. The continent also has a high evaporation rate, with over 75% of the land experiencing a potential evaporation rate higher than 98.4 inches per year.
The combination of its subtropical location, ocean currents, low rainfall, high evaporation rates, and the influence of climate patterns like the El Niño-Southern Oscillation, contribute to Australia's arid climate and make it the driest inhabited continent.
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High evaporation rates
Australia is the driest inhabited continent on Earth. The continent has a very low annual average rainfall of 419 mm (16 in) or 470mm according to another source. This is well below the global average. In fact, 50% of the continent receives 11.8 inches or 300 mm per year or lower, while 80% of the landmass receives 23.6 inches or 600 mm per year or lower.
Several factors contribute to Australia's low rainfall and arid climate. Firstly, its tropical/subtropical location and position in the Southern Hemisphere mean that it is not subject to movements of frigid polar air during winter, resulting in a relatively mild winter. Secondly, the cold waters off the western coast produce very little moisture for the mainland. The ocean currents also affect the dryness of the continent. Additionally, the continent's large geographical size contributes to the wide variation in climatic conditions, with some areas experiencing a tropical climate with grasslands and deserts, while only small portions in the southeast and southwest have a temperate climate.
The dryness of Australia is also influenced by the subtropical high-pressure belt, which brings dry air from the upper atmosphere down onto the continent. This high-pressure system is typically located south of Australia in the summer and over the north in the winter, leading to dry summers in the south and dry winters in the north. The Intertropical Convergence Zone moves south during Australia's summer, bringing monsoons to parts of northern Australia.
Furthermore, Australia experiences frequent and intense droughts, which are partly caused by the El Niño-Southern Oscillation. This climate pattern also contributes to the occurrence of dust storms, tropical cyclones, heatwaves, and bushfires in the country.
One notable feature of Australia's climate is its high evaporation rates. Over 75% of the land mass experiences a potential evaporation rate higher than 98.4 inches per year, with some central regions reaching potential evaporation rates of about 177.2 inches per year, roughly 20 times greater than the annual rainfall. This further contributes to the arid conditions in the country.
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Climate change and water conservation
Australia is the driest inhabited continent on Earth. It has a large arid centre, and over 20% of the country is classified as desert. The wide variation in climatic conditions is partly due to the geographical size of the continent, with its position near the centre of a tectonic plate resulting in a low average elevation. The climate is also influenced by ocean currents, which affect dryness and contribute to the cyclones in the north of the country.
The country's hydrology and water resources are being impacted by climate change, with complex interactions between shifts in temperature, rainfall, evaporation, vegetation dynamics, soil moisture, and rainfall-runoff partitioning. The continent is now one degree warmer than a hundred years ago and receiving significantly less rain. This has resulted in an overall drying of the continent, with an increase in the frequency and severity of droughts and bushfires, and a decrease in cool-season rainfall.
Water conservation efforts in Australia have been driven by the twin challenges of declining water supply and growing demand. The Millennium Drought from 1996-2010 brought long-term water restrictions to the highly populated southeast and southwest, acting as a catalyst for change. Australia has since been praised for improving its water security through investment in infrastructure, innovation, and conservation. For example, in Murrurundi, New South Wales, innovative hydro panels extract enough moisture from the air to supply a school with 1,500 litres of drinking water a month.
However, the impacts of climate change on water resources remain challenging to project, and further progress will require improved instrumentation and management techniques. As Australia's population continues to grow, with an expected increase in water consumption in larger cities, the country must continue to develop sustainable solutions to meet the demand for this precious and finite resource.
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Desertification of the interior
Australia is the driest inhabited continent on Earth. It has a large arid centre, with over 20% of the country classified as desert. The continent has a very low annual average rainfall of 419 mm (16 inches), with 50% of the continent receiving 11.8 inches or lower per year and 80% receiving 23.6 inches or lower. The interior of Australia is particularly dry due to a combination of geographical, oceanic, and atmospheric factors, which have led to desertification.
Geographically, Australia is the smallest and flattest continent, with a low average elevation of 300 meters. Its position near the centre of a tectonic plate means it has no current volcanic activity, and its bedrock is over 3 billion years old. This has contributed to the aridity of the interior as there are no geologic forces to raise the topography or bring moisture. Additionally, Australia's tropical/subtropical location and cold waters off the western coast make most of Western Australia a hot desert. These cold waters produce little moisture for the mainland.
Oceanic and atmospheric factors also play a role in the desertification of Australia's interior. The climate is influenced by ocean currents that affect the dryness of the continent. The country is separated from polar regions by the Southern Ocean, so it does not experience frigid polar air during the winter, resulting in a relatively mild season. However, the transition between seasons is more dramatic in the far inland areas, particularly west of the Great Dividing Range. The subtropical high-pressure belt brings dry air from the upper atmosphere down onto the continent, leading to dry summers in the south and dry winters in the north.
Human activity has also contributed to the desertification of Australia's interior. A 2005 study suggested that the arrival of human settlers about 50,000 years ago may have played a role in the desertification process. Additionally, Australia is among the world's highest consumers of water, with agriculture using 50-70% of the country's water per annum. The use of groundwater, such as the Great Artesian Basin, and the impact of climate change on freshwater supplies further exacerbate the dryness of the interior regions.
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The Great Artesian Basin
Australia is the driest inhabited continent on Earth. It is the world's smallest and flattest continent, with over 20% of its land area classified as desert and more than two-thirds as arid or semi-arid. The Great Artesian Basin (GAB) is an important water resource and the largest groundwater basin in Australia. It is also the largest and deepest artesian basin in the world, extending over 1,700,000 square kilometres (660,000 sq mi) and lying beneath parts of the Northern Territory, Queensland, South Australia, and New South Wales. The basin provides the only source of fresh water for much of inland Australia and underlies 22% of the continent.
The GAB is an important water supply for cattle stations, irrigation, and livestock and domestic purposes. It is a vital lifeline for rural Australia and supports unique ecological communities. The discovery and use of water in the GAB allowed the settlement of thousands of square kilometres of land away from rivers. The water is accessed by drilling boreholes down to a suitable rock layer, and the pressure of the water often forces it up without pumps. The GAB is estimated to contain 64,900 cubic kilometres (15,600 cubic miles) of groundwater, with measured temperatures ranging from 30 to 100 °C (86 to 212 °F).
The water in the GAB is held in a sandstone layer formed by continental erosion during the Triassic, Jurassic, and early Cretaceous periods. During these periods, much of what is now inland Australia was below sea level, and the sandstone was covered by a layer of marine sedimentary rock that trapped water in the sandstone aquifer. The eastern edge of the basin was uplifted with the formation of the Great Dividing Range, while the western side was shaped by the Central Eastern Lowlands and the Great Western Plateau. Most recharge water enters the rock formations from high ground near the eastern edge, gradually flowing towards the south and west.
The Australian government recognises the importance of the GAB and has implemented initiatives to ensure its sustainable management. The Great Artesian Basin Coordinating Committee (GABCC) advises on efficient and effective resource management, coordinating activities between federal, state/territory, and local governments, and community organisations. In 2018, the government announced the Improving Great Artesian Basin Drought Resilience program, providing up to $27.6 million in funding over five years for basin jurisdictions. The Great Artesian Basin Strategic Management Plan, released in 2019, guides stakeholders towards responsible management of this vital water resource.
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Frequently asked questions
Australia is the driest inhabited continent on Earth. 80% of the land receives less than 24 inches of rainfall annually, and 50% gets less than 12 inches. The continent also has a very high evaporation rate, with over 75% of the land experiencing a potential evaporation rate higher than 98.4 inches per year.
Australia's dryness is influenced by its subtropical location, ocean currents, and the sinking hot air of the subtropical high-pressure belt, which brings dry air down onto the continent. The cold waters off the western coast also produce little moisture.
Australia typically has dry summers in the south and dry winters in the north. The continent experiences frequent droughts, heatwaves, and bushfires. The northern part of the country has a tropical climate, varying between grasslands and desert.
Australia relies extensively on groundwater, with the Great Artesian Basin providing a significant source of freshwater. However, the country is among the world's highest consumers of water, and agriculture uses a large proportion of it. Water conservation practices and restrictions on water use are essential to address this challenge.
