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9.4 Bentonite Quarry - Gellibrand

This information has been developed from the publications:
  • Sites of Geological and Geomorphological Significance in the Western Region of Melbourne (1986) by Neville Rosengren
  • Sites of Geological and Geomorphological Significance on the Coast of Port Phillip Bay (1988) by Neville Rosengren.
  • Sites of Geological and Geomorphological Significance in the Shire of Otway (1984) by Neville Rosengren.
Geological heritage sites, including sites of geomorphological interest and volcanic heritage sites, are under regular revision by the Geological Society of Australia, especially in the assessment of significance and values. Reference should be made to the most recent reports. See the Earth Science Heritage (external site) section of the Geological Society of Australia website for details of geological heritage reports, and a bibliography.

Location:9-21306. Two kilometres south of Gellibrand on the western slope of Charley Creek valley.

Access:

Charley Creek Road.

Ownership:

Private land.

Geology:

A deposit of bentonite (a clay resulting from weathering of volcanic ash) has been proved adjacent to this site (Douglas, 1976) and is exposed in a small cut on the valley slope. The material has been described in detailed by Darragh and Bowen (1965).

Significance:

State. Although only a small deposit, this is one of the major bentonite occurrences known in Victoria. It is of importance in determining the origin of volcanic materials contained in the Lower Cretaceous sediments of the Otway Group.

References:

Darragh, P. J. and Bowen, K. G. (1965). "The occurrence of bentonite at Gellibrand." Min. & geol. J. Vict., 6(5), pp. 32-36.

Douglas, J. G. and Ferguson, J. (1976). "Geology of Victoria." Geol. Soc. Aust. Spec. Pub. 5. p. 528.

Image:  Betonite Quarry map
Map of Gellibrand and Sites 9.3, 9.4, 9.5, 9.6
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