A new field guide to the geology, culture, history and ecology of the Larapinta trail and Tjoritja – West MacDonnell National Park will be released by the Geological Society of Australia.

Hiking enthusiast, author, and Alice Springs geologist Dr Anett Weisheit said she had spent hours over the past few years documenting the rocks, landscapes, and biodiversity for the 160-page Behind the landscape of the central ranges, which was a field guide to the geology, culture, history and ecology of the Larapinta trail and Tjoritja – West MacDonnell National Park.

She said it highlighted 60 stops along the trail, providing readers with a self-guided, first-hand experience of the assorted geology.

“It is fantastic to see this years long project come to such an amazing conclusion – a practical, backpack-friendly guidebook that seems to inspire so many people. I am so grateful to the GSA and all our sponsors and supporters that made this high-quality book become a reality,” Dr Weisheit said.

“The most exciting and rewarding feeling is when I see the book used and enjoyed.”

GSA NT division chairman Dr Amber Jarrett said book launch would host a display featuring different rock types, minerals, and structures which will allow guests to get up close with the rocks around Alice Springs.

“The regional rocks build the very foundation of the stunning central Australian landscape and vary in age from the Quaternary, a few thousand years, to the Palaeoproterozoic, thousands of millions of years, spanning 40 per cent of Earth’s history,” she said.

“Our society is not-for-profit and we will be putting every single dollar raised from the book sales back into producing new outreach material in other locations across the Territory.

“We are looking forward to sharing some of the amazing stories the rocks in our region tell us about the history of our Earth.”

Dr Jarrett said the book would be launched at the Alice Springs Telegraph Station, which marks the start of the renowned multi-day outback hiking trail, and rock outcrops near the historic buildings are a featured stop in the new guidebook.

Keynote presentations from Dr Weisheit and supports will be held during the launch, and there will be an excursion hosted by local geologists to the nearby granite outcrops.

The launch is on August 12, running from 10am to 2:30pm, with the guidebook available for purchase on the day for $45. The book can also be ordered from this website.

For more information, and to register for the launch, visit the GSA NT division website.