Escape Island
Escape Island is an island near Jurien Bay in Western Australia.
Description
The island has an area of 27.33 hectares (68 acres), is located 5.0 kilometres (3 mi) from the mainland, at the southern end of Jurien Bay, and has a maximum elevation of 12 metres (39 ft).[1]
The island is part of the Turquoise Coast islands nature reserve group, a chain of 40 islands spread over a distance of 150 kilometres (93 mi).[1]
Lighthouse
| |
| Location | Western Australia, Australia  |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 30.333422°S 114.986490°E |
| Year first constructed | 1930 (first) |
| Year first lit | 1980 (current) |
| Automated | 1980 |
| Foundation | concrete |
| Construction | metal skeletal tower |
| Tower shape | square frustum tower with balcony |
| Tower height | 24 metres (79 ft) |
| Focal height | 30 metres (98 ft) |
| Light source | solar power |
| Range | 15 nautical miles (28 km; 17 mi) |
| Characteristic | FI (3) W 15s. |
| Admiralty number | K1756 |
| NGA number | 9140 |
| ARLHS number | AUS-072 |
| Managing agent | Australian Maritime Safety Authority[2] |
A 96-foot (29 m) lighthouse was constructed in the centre of the island in 1930. Initially the lighthouse had a brightness of 6000 candlepower and was visible for 15 miles (24 km). The light was a group flashing white light model, showing three flashes every fifteen seconds.[3] Originally powered by butane gas, it was converted to solar power in 1986; it now consists of a solar powered unmanned light on top of a steel tower.[4]
Geology
The islands were formed approximately 10,000 years ago after large fluctuations in sea levels caused erosion on large areas of the continental shelf during periods of glaciation. Large parallel sand dunes then formed and hardened into limestone, forming islands, most of which have been separated from the mainland for 6,500 years.[1]
Well preserved Tamala limestone geological features can be found on the islands, including the fragile fossil root networks known as rhizoliths that are found on Escape Island.[1]
Fauna
The Jurien Bay skink is found on the island, inhabiting the crevices in the limestone rocks. The bull skink is also found but lives in shallow burrows in the sandy soil. King's skinks are also found on the island but tend to inhabit the petrel burrows that are also found on the island.[5]
In 1999, 40 dibblers that were bred at Perth Zoo were released on the island under the wildlife recovery program Western Shield.[6][7]
References
- "Turquoise Coast islands nature reserves management plan" (PDF). Government of Western Australia. 2004. Retrieved 6 December 2015.
- Rowlett, Russ. "Lighthouses of Australia: Western Australia". The Lighthouse Directory. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Retrieved 16 December 2015.
- "Jurien Bay Lighthouse". Sunday Times. Perth, Western Australia: National Library of Australia. 23 March 1930. p. 1. Retrieved 8 December 2015.
- "Escape Island Lighthouse". InHerit. Heritage Council of Western Australia. 8 February 2015. Retrieved 7 December 2015.
- "Survey guidelines for Australia's threatened reptiles". Department of EnVironment. Retrieved 8 December 2015.
- "40 Dibblers to be released on to Escape Island in Jurien Bay". Media Statement. Government of Western Australia. 7 October 1999. Retrieved 7 December 2015.
- Moro, Dorian (1 January 2003), Translocation of captive-bred dibblers Parantechinus apicalis (Marsupialia: Dasyuridae) to Escape Island, Western Australia, Research Online, retrieved 8 December 2015