Soil/Landform Unit 98

The scoria cone complex of Mount Leura

Area:

856 ha

0.06% of CMA region

The major cone complex and minor cone (to the south-west) in the Corangamite catchment occur near Camperdown and are associated with an eruption complex that includes low hills and plains (Unit

110

)

and maars (Unit

107

). The scoria are sought after for their high quality and vesicular nature for use as industrial road material and garden supplies. As part of the volcanic Western Plains, the unit is characterised by moderately steep slopes with highly fertile soils. Associated with these landform elements is the remnant vegetation class Scoria Cone Woodland. Soils are

friable

red and

mottled

black texture contrast soils on these slopes. Slopes of higher topographic positions compared with the lower surrounding terrain have greater levels of surface stone. Land uses includes dairy and beef cattle grazing, cropping and scoria excavation from an open pit. The cones are slightly susceptible to sheet and rill erosion given their moderately steep hillslopes.

Mount Leura and surrounding farmed plains
	Mount Leura and associated scoria landforms to the south-east of Camperdown

Component	1	2	3
Proportion of soil-landform unit	20%	30%	50%
CLIMATE Rainfall (mm)	Annual: 800
Temperature (^oC)	Minimum 8, Maximum 18
Precipitation less than potential evapotranspiration	November-March
GEOLOGY Age and lithology	Quaternary scoria and basalt
Geomorphology	6.1.1 Eruption points of the Volcanic Western Plains
LANDUSE	Uncleared: Nature conservation; water supply; active and passive recreation Cleared: Cropping; beef cattle and sheep grazing; regional development
TOPOGRAPHY Landscape	Low hills and rises of volcanic cones
Elevation range (m)	140-310
Local relief (m)	60
Drainage pattern	Radial
Drainage density (km/km²)	0.3
Landform	Volcanic cones
Landform element	Outer slopes	Steep sided inner slopes	Moderate to gentle slopes and rises
Slope and range (%)	12 (5-25)	15 (8-30)	7 (3-15)
Slope shape	Convex	Concave	Irregular
NATIVE VEGETATION Ecological Vegetation Class	Scoria Cone Woodland (6.4%)
SOIL Parent material	Basaltic scoria and ash	Basaltic scoria	Basaltic scoria and ash
Description (Corangamite Soil Group)	Friable red (38) and mottled black texture contrast soils (37)	Friable red trexture contrast (38) and gradational soils (40)	Friable mottled black texture contrast (37)
Soil type sites	MM230, SFS5	SW26, BD5	SFS5, SW48, SW25
Surface texture	Fine sandy clay loam	Loam, clay loam	Clay loam
Permeability	Moderate	High	High
Depth (m)	<1.5	<1	<2
LAND CHARACTERISTICS, POTENTIAL AND LIMITATIONS	Texture contrast, moderate to high water holding capacity and nutrient holding capacity depending on depth and stoniness. Firable, non-sodic soils with fine to moderate structure. Rapid site drainage. Some susceptibility to sheet and rill erosion.	Texture contrast, moderate to high water holding capacity and nutrient holding capacity depending on depth and stoniness. Firable, non-sodic soils with fine to moderate structure. Rapid to very rapid site drainage. Some susceptibility to sheet and rill erosion.	Texture contrast, moderate to high water holding capacity and nutrient holding capacity depending on depth and stoniness. Friable, non-sodic soils with fine to moderate structure. Rapid site drainage. Some susceptibility to sheet and rill erosion and possible waterlogging in depressions.

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