[Pboc. Roy. Soc. Victoria, 31 (N.S.), Part II., 1919 



Art. XIX. — The Sand Ridges, Sand Plains and "Sand 

 Glaciers" at Comet Vale in Sah-arid Western Australia} 



By J. T. JUTSON 



(Formerly of the Geological Survey of Western Australia). 



(With Three Text Figures). 

 [Eead 12th December, 1918J. 



Introduction. 



Comet Vale is a inining township 1236 feet above sea level, and 

 63 miles north of Kalgooilie, on the railway from Kalgoorlie to 

 Leonora. The district forms part of the great sub-arid plateau 

 in south-central Western Australia, where the rainfall is jDrobably 

 under 10 inches per annum. There is a notable quantity of blown 

 sand in the district, and the distribution of this sand throws con- 

 siderable light on the action of the wind in the formation of certain 

 types of country. 



Sunnmary. 



At Comet Vale blown sands are widely distributed and are 

 associated with other types of country, namely, deeply dissected 

 *' high " lands, and the " dry " lake or play a. Lake Goongarrie. 



The blown sands from sand ridges, sand plains and " sand 

 glaciers." The ridges are mostly parallel to one another and are 

 approximately east and west in general direction. They rest upon 

 the sand plains. 



At the township of Comet -Vale the sand forms a smooth and 

 unbroken surface with a gentle fall to the west. The sand is wind- 

 borne and has spread steadily up the flanks of a laterite ridge to 

 the east, and in some instances has climbed the passes or saddles 

 of the ridge, thence widening out on the opposite (eastern) side of 

 the ridge as " sand glaciers." 



The sands have been derived from extensive sand areas to the 

 west, and are marching eastwards. The dominant winds are 

 apparently -westerly. 



In its march eastwards, the sand. has blotted out the drainage 

 lines west of the laterite ridge; and east of such ridge, the courses 

 of various small intermittent streams from the " high " lands have 

 been diverted. 



1 By permission of the Acting Govenunent Geologist. 



