Barrow Island (Western Australia)

The Barrow Iceland is a 202 km2 large island in the subtropics. It is located about 50 km north- west of the coast of Western Australia ( in the Ashburton Ward ) belongs to the Ashburton Shire in the Pilbara region. In the northwest of Lowendal Archipelago and 10 km closes in 7.4 km further north, the archipelago of the Monte Bello Islands.

Discovery and name

On the island, there was no evidence of a settlement by the natives of Australia, the Aborigines. Although the island was repeatedly mentioned since the 16th century, they also sighted Nicolas Baudin on the Baudin expedition in the year 1803. He held it to the Australian mainland. It was not until 1816 she was awarded by Phillip Parker King its present name after John Barrow, a British statesman and one of the founders of the Royal Geographical Society.

Flora and Fauna

The Barrow- Iceland is a spinifex grasslands with numerous termite mounds on the wallaroo, glasses hare kangaroo, brush kangaroo, Golden Bandicoot and Barrow Island Mouse lives. In addition to the endemic flatback turtle, the green turtle, hawksbill and loggerhead turtle occasionally hold on. Seven species of toothed whales and baleen whales were counted three, humpback whales stay in about 4100 hectare Barrow Iceland Marine Park on temporarily and further dugongs. In the waters of the marine park are also significant coral reefs teeming with tropical flora and numerous small fish. There are 150 species of stony corals in the marine area. In addition to the marine park Barrow Iceland Marine Management Area surrounds the waters around the island, except for the south coast.

Among the 15 species of birds endemic bird, Malurus leucopterus edouardi, a subspecies of the White-winged squadron tail and the osprey.

In the limestone caves of the island are endemic fishes like the blind Schläfergrundel Milyeringa justitia, and troglobiote and amphibian species.

Economic use

1954 oil was discovered on the island, which is exploited since 1964. Today, 400 oil wells are active, which makes the island the largest oil producing facility in Australia. 2009, work began on the largest LNG production in the world. Up to 8% of global demand to be covered by the Gorgon gas project. Especially Asian buyers have signed contracts for more than $ 200 billion.

Environment

On April 10, 1996 on Barrow Iceland 408 km / h - apart from Tornadoes - highest ever measured on Earth wind speed registered.