Rainfall not seen over South Australia’s vast desert lake since the 80s has brought it to spectacular life
As an amplified La Niña weather event turned life on the Australian east coast into a flooded misery over recent weeks, it has also played a role in helping bring the vast desert lake near the middle of the continent to life.
Kati Thanda-Lake Eyre is about 700km north of Adelaide, covers more than 9,000 sq km – an area roughly equivalent to greater suburban Melbourne – and is the lowest point on the Australian mainland.
Vegetation flourishes in normally dry river channels after uncommonly high local rainfall at Anna Creek Station. Photograph: Doug Gimesy