Macdonnell

Macdonnell

 

mountain ranges in the central part of Australia, in the eastern part of the West Australian highlands. The Macdonnell Ranges stretch more than 400 km from east to west in several individual ranges. Elevation, to 1,510 m (Mount Ziel). The northern chains are composed of granites, gneisses, and quartzites, while the southern chains are composed of shales and sandstones. The ranges are dissected by deep longitudinal valleys formed by ancient runoff and the transverse gorges of periodic rivers. On the slopes there are sparse patches of Spinifex grass; eucalyptus, red gum, and acacias grow in the valleys. The trans-Australian Overland Telegraph Line crosses the ranges near Alice Springs.