Simpson Desert Coral

Dave198 replied:

I can't speak with any authority Ando as I haven't been there, but I would suspect maybe pieces of gypsum crystals.
Gypsum is reasonably common in sandy environments. The crystals can be clear or many other colours.
Near where I live we can find them varying from nearly clear, through to nearly white and through to the deep red of the surrounding sand.
They take all sorts of forms.
Do a google on gypsum and see if you recognise any of the shapes.
Dave

Notso replied:

Most of the inland of Aus was a sea at some stage so it wouldn't be too surprising of there were bits of Coral around.

Scubaroo replied:

There's coral fossils mixed throughout the sand in NSW at Lake Mungo NP - so it could easily have been fossils you saw.

equinox replied:

Remnants of lightning strikes??

Member - MUZBRY (VIC) replied:

Gday
I'll go with Dave on this one,,,more likley Gipsum ,,looks like coral in its formation..

Notso replied:

Could be fuzed particles from where the aliens landed to take Aussie tourists captive to perform strange experiments on

Member - Stephen L (SA) replied:

Hi Ando79,
What part of the desert did you see these formations. Was this in the area near the Knolls? or on one of the many salt clay pans?

In the Knolls area there is a lot of gypsum in the area, being white in colour, being either exposed or just under the surface of the sand. The only other area very similar to that of the Knolls that we have come across is an area approx 150kms north of the Knolls and well out of the way for the normal Simpson Desert Trip. When you pick up a large lump, of say 8" diameter, it will crumble in your hands.

Stephen

Member - Davoe (Nullagine) replied:

there a re fossalized tree roots around Elliston which could look a bit like coral

Richard W (NSW) replied:

A few years ago on the way to Birdsville just after Poeples Corner we came across Gypcrete deposits in the riverbed.

Member - Andrew W (SA) replied:

I think it is the gypcrete idea ... plants grow through this highly salty environment and the moist setting of the roots draws water and salts which dry out and set like concrete.

The hot wind blows the plant to extinction, roots dry up and wither to nothing but the surrounding concrete like dry salt stays.

The wind blows some more and the sand blows away leaving these coral-like, stallegmite thingamees.

I don't think it is a pre-history thing ... I think they are largely modern.

They crunch under your feet and make for quite an interesting landscape. Perhaps i'll put up a shot two.

I have seen them in coastal areas too, as well as Great Victoria Desert, Mungo as was mentioned by someone else, Nullabor and Simpson.

The kids picked the biggest one to bring home (I'm sure this was technically illegal) from Twilight Cove general vacinity, but they fell to bits on the Anne Beadell.

Cheers
Andrew.