Escape Island

Escape Island is an island near Jurien Bay in Western Australia.DescriptionThe island has an area of 27.33ha, is located 5.0km from the mainland, at the southern end of Jurien Bay, and has a maximum elevation of 12m.The island is part of the Turquoise Coast islands nature reserve group, a chain of 40 islands spread over a distance of 150km.LighthouseA 96ft lighthouse was constructed in the centre of the island in 1930. Initially the lighthouse had a brightness of 6000 candlepower and was visible for 15mi. The light was a group flashing white light model, showing three flashes every fifteen seconds. 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.GeologyThe 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.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.