Up & Coming Geoscientists - a sample of our AIG Honours Bursary Recipients

The Peoples Hydrogeological Wonder
Geological Wonder
Research Wonder
The Blue Lake along with the volcanic crater
As a geological wonder the Blue Lake:
Studying the lake has provided gainful
has had a human connection since its
employment to at least two PhD students,
formation, as it has been part of the local
Buandig (also known as Boandik) Aboriginal
dream time legend.
This lake plays a wonderful part in
thousands of people’s lives. Firstly for such
a unique geological structure, it is on the
doorstep of a city of about 30,000 people.
Other Blue Lakes in the world, whilst very
• Is one of Australia’s most recently
formed volcanoes with an age of about
28,000 years.
• Formed during Australia’s last ice age
and the lake was originally dry as the
water levels were 100 to 150 metres
lower than today.
• Formed on a fault upon which the
along with CSIRO and government
researchers. But still it refuses to give up all its
secrets
Water Supply Wonder
The Lake is the municipal water supply to
the people of Mount Gambier. It provides on
average about 3,700 million litres of water
IAH Seven Wonders
beautiful are quite often removed from
volcanic pressure exited through.
each years from a reservoir of about 30,000
population centres and do not play unique
• The lake has a maximum depth of
million litres. It recharges its volume from
roles in peoples lives.
72 metres, a circumference of 3.75
groundwater storage about every 8 years.
This lake has a walking path which sees
kilometres and a water surface area of
hundreds of people walk or jog around it every
about 60 hectares.
day as part of fitness routines. Additionally it
• It has a unique colour change related to
has a strong social function with many of the
temperature and water purity.
morning walker’s stopping at the tourist centre
• It has different water qualities to the
for a coffee after the walk. These walks/ runs
surrounding unconfined aquifer, of which
are very relaxing as at so many parts around
it is a part.
the lake the beauty of the whole crater is
• A little known fact is that it may have
viewed.
originally been a dual crater.
Tourist Hydrogeological Wonder
The lake is appreciated by so many people in
Australia but it also receives many thousands
of international visitors. As part of the
Kanawinka Geopark it forms part of Australia’s
first geopark and because it is a part of the
global network, it is promoted internationally
both in Europe and Asia. It has appeared on
many television shows related to tourism and
children’s education.
AIG NEWS Issue 123 · February 2016 31